for the year 1886. xxvii 



floating ice, be obtained. The actual distance from the 

 south of Tasmania to the southern continent is not more 

 than would be easily traversed in a week by a steamer of 

 moderate speed. The harvest of scientific results to be 

 reaped by such an expedition would most probably be rich, 

 while substantial advantages of a commercial nature might 

 not improbably be secured. 



Exploration in New Guinea is at a standstill at present. 

 The Forbes expedition, to which the Geographical Society 

 contributed £500, has been compelled, through lack of funds, 

 to quit the field. This is to be regretted. On the other 

 hand, the German portion of the island is being opened up, 

 and a fine river, navigable, it is stated, for 400 miles, has 

 been discovered. 



The Field Naturalists' Club progresses favourably, the 

 number of members having increased considerably. Very 

 pleasant and profitable excursions into the country are 

 periodically made, resulting in the collection of interesting 

 specimens of various kinds. An exhibition of Victorian 

 wild flowers has been recently held, at which no less than 

 180 diflerent species of Victorian plants were shown. The 

 club is doing an excellent work in directing the attention 

 of the public, and especially of the young, to the numerous 

 natural objects of beauty and interest with which our colony 

 abounds. 



The Microscopical Society continues its meetings as usual, 

 but has but little to report of general interest. 



The Historical Society, formed rather more than a year 

 ago, is quietly at work collecting first-hand information 

 bearing on the original settlement and early history of these 

 colonies. From the nature of the case, the work is not likely 

 to attract much public attention, but it is not on that account 

 any the less valuable. The future historian of our continent 

 will find his toils much reduced, and the reliability of his 

 narration greatly enhanced through such work being under- 

 taken at a time when some of the pioneers have not yet 

 passed ofl" the stage, and the relics of early settlement have 



