Jiogal gocietg of Victoria. 



ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 



OF 



Wat prmbott, 



Professor Kernot, M.A. 



(Delivered to the Members of the Royal Society of Victoria, at their 

 Annual Conversazione, held March 11th, 1886.) 



Gentlemen of the Royal Society, 



My presence upon this platform to-night is an evidence 

 to you that a great change has taken place in our Society. 

 For nearly twenty years past you have been in the habit 

 of listening, upon these annual occasions, to a gentleman 

 of European reputation — a Fellow of the two leading 

 scientific societies in the British Empire, whose extensive 

 acquaintance with all branches of research specially fitted 

 him for the position of the leader and President of the Royal 

 Society of Victoria. Under him the Society has grown up ; 

 to him the scientific workers of this colony look as to a 

 father in science, ready at all times with advice, information, 

 and assistance. Under his wise rule our affairs have pro- 

 gressed smoothly and successfully, good work has been done, 

 and we have shown to those residing in other parts of the 

 world that, amidst the turmoil and excitement, the rapid 

 changes and animated contests that characterise the founding 

 of a new empire in a land but a few years since unknown 

 and unoccupied, the arduous paths of scientific investigation 

 are not wholly deserted, nor the labours of the great masters 

 of research altogether unappreciated. But now the familiar 



