12 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 
their eyes and see. But with the aid we have—with a land full 
of unique forms—with many a life history yet unwritten, the 
worshippers -at Nature’s altar should be increased many fold, and 
to all and sundry who wish to do honest work in a humble and 
patient way our Club holds out a hand of heartiest welcome. 
Before I close my address I should note one or two matters of 
public interest that have eng.ged the attention of the Club. In 
October: last a deputation waited on the Minister of Lands with 
reference to the destruction of trees and shrubs in Studley Park. 
The result has been that increased vigilance has been given to the 
preservation of the park in its natural beauty. The Club also pre- 
sented a petition to Parliament supporting the amended Game Act 
which has abolished swivel and punt guns, by which such wasteful 
destruction of bird life has been caused for years past on our lakes 
and swamps. A committee of our Club is also just now busily 
engaged in preparing a list of insectivorous, game and other birds 
that, in their opinion, should be brought under the provisions of the 
Game Act. 
As loyal Australians we cannot but be glad that our land is 
receiving attention from naturalists in the old countries. The 
miserable description of its fauna and flora given by the elder 
Darwin, doubtless, as Mr. Lucas pointed out to us at one of our 
meetings, prevenved much attention being paid to our natural 
history. The advent of Mr. Caldwell, and his patient investigation 
into the vexed question of the reproduction of the Monotremata and 
Ceratodus, is a matter for congratulation. Biologists will be 
eager to learn all he has to tell us. We are glad, also, to 
welcome to this colony so well known a labourer as Mr. M‘Alpin, 
the newly-appointed lecturer at Ormond College. Congratulating 
the college on having obtained the services of so distinguished a 
man, and of one who can make science popular, and is able to 
lecture on scientific subjects without the continual use of ses- 
quipedal words. 
Ladies and gentlemen, while we congratulate ourselyes on 
what has been done, let us ever understand what the true end of 
science is. It certainly is not the mere gratification of fancies— 
the passing amusement of an hour. It is not simply to know. 
Lord Bacon’s famous motto was one we might almost take as the 
motto of our Club—‘ The true end of science is to enrich human 
life with useful arts and inventions.” And truly, by the patient 
study of life in all its forms, adding to the sum of human know- 
ledge, we may add to the sum of human happiness. I affirm 
that that man who helps to make the world cleaner and healthier, 
or who is able by patient investigation to add to the store of its 
common wealth, is truly an apostle of that divine kingdom that 
prophets and seers have forecast and sung of. 
