xii President's Address 



I am sorry to say that the Council has not yet been able to 

 arrange for a series of lectures in each session on subjects of 

 special scientific interest, as was in contemplation, but, never- 

 theless, I have reason to believe that the proposition will be 

 carried into effect in our next session, if not earlier. 



In addressing you on occasions similar to the present for 

 many years past, I have usually brought under your notice 

 the most noteworthy facts in connection with the year's his- 

 tory and progress of our several science or art departments, 

 and of kindred societies in the colony. Not desiring to 

 depart from this time-honoured custom, and at the same time 

 not to weary you with a long address, I refrain from any 

 detailed reference to the affairs of the Society, the most im- 

 portant of which I have no doubt are familiar to you all. 



Our members will be pleased to know that kindred socie- 

 ties in Melbourne are all flourishing, and actively engaged in 

 contributing to the general stock of knowledge in their 

 particular directions. The Medical Society and the Mel- 

 bourne branch of the British Medical Association, which 

 extends its functions all over the British dominions, show by 

 the results of their meetings and their transactions, that 

 nothing tending to progress of skill and knowledge in the 

 sciences of medicine or surgery is neglected or overlooked 

 by their members. The Microscopical Society continues to 

 fulfil its functions admirably under its able and veteran 

 president, and has done immense good in spreading a sound 

 knowledge of the use of the microscope, and in investigating 

 the Australian forms of minute animal and vegetable life. 

 The good influence of the Pharmaceutical Society and its 

 administration of the Pharmacy Bill is beginning to be felt 

 in our community already, and the efforts of the board and 

 the society to secure a thorough and scientific training for 

 all who are engaged in the sale and dispensing of medicines, 

 drugs, &c, will, I am sure, be commended on all sides. 



Looking generally to the progress in our midst of those 

 branches of knowledge which come more immediately within 

 the province of this Society, our members must have noted 



