elxi 
practical importance, the thoughtful consideration of the community, 
from its bearing and influence on the public health. Much gratification, 
again, has been afforded by the interesting account of the mosses of 
Tasmania by our zealous co-worker, Mc. R. A. Bastow, a study which 
he has succeeded, aided by the microscope, in rendering both attractive 
and fascinating. Notes on different branches of science have also been 
read by Mr. W. Saville-Kent, F.L.S., F.Z.S., and by Mr. C. J. Atkins, 
and rendered, in both cases, of increased interest by means of the 
microscope. In selecting the foregoing for special mention, it is with 
no desire to under-rate the merits of the other excellent papers that 
have been read before the Royal Society, and which will be contained 
in our forthcoming volume of Papers and Proceedings. This retrospect 
would be incomplete were I not to mention that the present year will be 
memorable for the receipt of a handsome legacy of money and land, 
bequeathed to the Royal Society by the late Joseph Milligan, F.L.S., 
formerly one of its warmest supporters. This bequest has already 
been placed on record in the proceedings, and a portrait of the generous 
benefactor has been framed and placed in the library of the Society. I 
digress here to acknowledge our debt of gratitude to The Mercury for 
its liberality in devoting so much space in reporting the proceedings of 
the Society, and presenting so promptly, at next morning’s breakfast 
table such a full and accurate epitome of the previous evening’s meeting. 
(Applause.) Fellows are aware that an important fundamental change 
has taken place in the constitution of the Royal Society, by the with- 
drawal of the Museum and Gardens from its sole control, and establish- 
ing them as two separate public institutions under the management of 
certain official trustees, together with six others elected from the 
Council of the Royal Society. No doubt this has involved a surrender 
of private rights to some extent, and one which did not at first sight 
commend itself to all the Fellows, especially to thuse who, like myself, 
had been associated with the Royal Society from its inception. Any 
‘scruples, however, which had been called forth when the change was 
first proposed, soon yielded to the manifest solid advantages which 
must accrue to the people of Tasmania by placing those institutions on a 
permanent and national basis. (Hear, hear.) As an example, it is fair 
to expect that more ample funds in their support will be available than 
has hitherto been the case ; for Parliament, while not feeling justified, 
perhaps, in voting more than the barest sums in subsidising a private, 
or at most a quasi-public society, must realise the obligation of 
adequately providing for the efficient working of these in common with 
other public establishments. Accordingly, additional means are already 
provided in the Act for the support and growth of the Museum; but, 
more important still, the sum of £3,000 has been voted for the erection 
of another wing to the Museum, urgently required to secure more ample 
accommodation for the rapidly increasing number of presentations. 
The Botanical gardens will also be rendered more attractive in future 
by the superintendent being less stinted as regards the supply of labour 
and appliances. Occasion has also been taken to give space for an art 
gallery for the reception of pictures and works of art, which will be at 
once recognised as calculated to diffuse a highly salutary influence upon 
public taste. But this is not all. Itis designed, besides, to connect 
with this building a laboratory for the Government Analyst, which will 
enable analyses of mineral specimens and samples presented to the 
Museum to be made, as it were, on the spot. Aczommodation in a hall 
for the delivery of courses of lectures on scientific subjects is also con- 
templated, and must prove of great public utility. In conclusion, I 
would simply remark that encouragement for the future may be fairly 
deduced from the success of the past; and that, with united action 
together with individual effort on the part of Fellows, good hopes may 
