for the year 1866. 125 



tions. Besides a large increase in its literary treasures, the 

 picture gallery lias been much enriched, more especially by 

 the acquisition of some beautiful paintings by Guerard, 

 Chevalier, and Gritten. The Museum of Art has also been 

 further developed, and the ground floor is now almost ex- 

 clusively occupied by copies of the best works in sculpture, 

 not only of the modern schools, but including also faithful 

 casts from the Elgin and other Greek marbles. 



The successful casting of the Burke and Wills monument 

 by Mr. Summers is another noteworthy fact of our progress. 

 Few know the enormous trouble and pains the production of 

 this immense bronze casting cost this courageous artist, from 

 the time of his first shaping his model in clay to the time 

 the statue was lifted on its pedestal. Not only does it 

 reflect great credit on its author as a splendid work 

 of high art, but also as an achievement in bronze-found- 

 ing on a large scale. 



The Acclimatisation Society has been steadfastly pro- 

 gressing in its useful labours. Prominent among the results 

 of the year are the importation of a flock of that most 

 valuable animal, the Angora goat, and the completion of the 

 arrangements for another consignment of salmon ova, of 

 whose safe arrival a few weeks ago you are no doubt 

 aware. 



The further exploration of the interior of Australia is in 

 progress. The expedition fitted out under the auspices of 

 the ladies of Victoria, assisted by a personal donation from 

 Her Majesty the Queen, and further aided by contributions 

 from the Governments and people of the neighbouring 

 colonies, with the predominant view of unveiling, if possible, 

 the fate of Leichhardt, under the leadership of Mr. M'Intyre, 

 is exploring the more northerly portions of the Australian 

 continent. Even should this search be barren in its primary 

 object, the information which must inevitably result from 



