6 Anniversary Address. 



obstacle to tlic introduction of a proper system of sectional 

 division into our rules, and I fear no arrangement of tlic 

 sort can work Avell until the number of cultivators of science 

 is greatly augmented among us. 



At the last meeting of the British Association,, at Aber- 

 deen, upwards of two thousand members were present, fur- 

 nishing material for full attendance, and an intelligent audi- 

 tory in every section. 



Is it too much to anticipate that those throughout the 

 Australian Colonics who take an interest in the advance- 

 ment of science will, ere long, congregate in like manner in 

 one or other of their Capital Cities every year ? 



We have intercolonial cricket matches for the development 

 of the physical strength of our youth ; champion races to 

 test the fleetness of our horses. Why should we not have 

 annual gatherings for the interchange of intellectual ideas ? 

 Into such an arena it would be worth the while of our scientific 

 men to descend. The Geologists might there satisfactorily 

 discuss the theory of the distribution of gold in its matrix ; 

 the Palaeontologists determine Avhether our coal fields were 

 really of the Palaeozoic or Mesozoic era, or whether secondary 

 formations have any place on the Australian Continent or not. 

 But until we can hold out an inducement in this way, we can 

 hardly hope for such disquisitions on the different species of 

 Ammonites and Belemnites as we had the pleasure of listening 

 to from Professor McCoy on the occasion of Dr. Hochstetter's 

 recent lecture; nor be surprised that Mr. Selwyn should 

 prefer to make known his theories through the journals of 

 the Geological Society of Great Britain. 



There is indeed another way in which this Society, whilst 

 more directly than heretofore fulfilling its avowed object of 

 developing the natural resources of the country, might entitle 

 itself to the gratitude, and perhaps enlist the services of the 



