for the year 1885. xix 



belong to the sterner sex, the Field Naturalists' Club 

 presents singular attractions to our lady friends, of whom 

 about twenty are members, and some of them office-bearers. 

 The Club has laid the public under an obligation by its 

 endeavours to prevent the destruction of spots of natural 

 beauty near Melbourne. 



The Geographical Society of Australasia is engaged busily 

 in practical work. A number of valuable papers have been 

 read and published, and, in addition to this, an exploring 

 party has been sent to New Guinea, the expense of which is 

 defrayed from sums contributed by the Governments of 

 Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. The Society 

 has branches in New South Wales and Victoria, South 

 Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania. 



A Historical Society has recently been constituted, and 

 has held a very successful inaugural meeting. It proposes 

 to rescue from oblivion, while yet it is possible to do so, 

 accurate particulars concerning the exploration, settlement, 

 and early history of the Australian colonies. How desirable 

 such a work is, is evidenced by the contradictions, confusion, 

 and uncertainty which already invest the early chronicles of 

 our land. 



The Pharmacy Board and Pharmaceutical Society have 

 continued their work during the year, the subjects dealt 

 with being chemistry, materia medica, and botany. A 

 special arrangement has been made for a lectureship in 

 pharmacy for the medical students of the University. The 

 museum of specimens and the library have received valuable 

 additions, and the work of instruction has been greatly facili- 

 tated by the ample accommodation provided by Government. 

 The Microscopical Society does not relax its endeavours, 

 and the gentlemen belonging to it year by year lay the 

 Royal Society under great obligation by the interesting. and 

 attractive exhibits which form so prominent a feature at our 

 annual conversazione. 



The Industrial Museum and School of Technology, under 

 the direction of Mr. J. Cosmo Newbeiy, efficiently perform 



