for the year 1872. Ixxi 



facts as are realised in the older countries ; but as the 

 field for original observations in a new country is really 

 wider in many respects than in the older, it is of 

 course of the first importance that what we do obtain 

 should be properly recorded and disseminated. I have 

 mentioned that the Society's Transactions, the printing 

 of which has been too long suspended, will be immediately 

 resumed, and I believe I may confidently state that 

 the present prospects of the Society are such as to 

 warrant the belief that they will henceforth appear with 

 regularity. It should be remembered that although this 

 Society has now existed for so many years, its ranks are 

 still thin, wanting both workers and supporters. It has 

 been recently proposed in your council, as a means of 

 strengthening and increasing the utility of the Society, that 

 a rule should be adopted to admit of residents at a distance 

 joining us as country life-members, on the same scale as 

 ordinary members are now admitted, by payment of half the 

 usual subscription. This will entitle such members to the 

 society's publications, and all the privileges of membership 

 when it Melbourne. I have chosen the earliest occasion for 

 announcing this proposition, which will no doubt be 

 presently adopted by the generality of members. I also 

 wish to remove an impression which I believe holds some 

 ground, that advanced scientific attainments are indispen- 

 sable qualifications for membership. The object for which 

 our Society was founded was the promotion of literature, 

 science, and art in the colony. Whoever can assist in this 

 is, so far, eligible for membership. 



