for the year 1886. xxiii 



increasing size — is universal at sea, but hitherto has not been 

 much employed on land. It is at present, however, being 

 practically tested on locomotives in various parts of the 

 world. Certain peculiarities in the conditions render the 

 application of the system more difficult on railways than on 

 steamboats, but, in spite of this, the results are said to be 

 promising. 



The gas-engine, which is, on thermodynamic grounds, a 

 more promising machine than the steam-engine, does not 

 advance as rapidly as was hoped. It is, however, plainly in 

 its infancy, while the steam-engine is in its manhood. We 

 should therefore not be surprised at a large advance being 

 made at any time. 



Since the last annual meeting two important lines of 

 cable tramway have come into operation in Melbourne, with 

 satisfactory results. When the lines under construction or 

 proposed are complete we shall possess a more perfect 

 tramway system than any city elsewhere. 



THE MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY. 



The number of students at the University continues 

 steadily to increase. There have been during the past year no 

 less than 454 students attending lectures, while 530 have 

 signified their intention of presenting themselves at the 

 forthcoming examinations. Of the professional schools, that 

 of medicine is by far the most popular, and the entries for 

 the various medical examinations represent 182 candidates. 

 Larger lecture-rooms are urgently needed, especially on the 

 Arts side, and, it is to be hoped, will soon be provided. 

 Preparations are being made for the establishment of an 

 engineering laboratory on the lines of that at University 

 College, London ; and a very powerful testing machine, for 

 investigating the strength and elasticity of materials, is at 

 present being constructed in England, under the supervision 

 of Professor Kennedy, of University College, London. This 

 machine is expected to be ready for use early next year. 



