xiv President's Address 



energy of the globe is slowly dying out is, no doubt, true ; 

 but the above-mentioned events show that its gradual 

 declension is liable to be interrupted by numerous spasmodic 

 outbursts, which may be locally disastrous. 



An interesting event of a different character has recently 

 taken place in Paris. M. Ghevreul, an investigator of the 

 highest eminence in organic chemistry and in the study of 

 colours, has attained the age of one hundred years, being still 

 in the possession of his faculties, and actively engaged in 

 scientific work. This occurrence led to a series of public 

 festivities, in which the whole scientific community took 

 part. A congratulatory address, a statue of the veteran 

 scientist, and an exhibition of materials and processes 

 illustrating his discoveries and their applications, are 

 mentioned. 



An important suggestion has recently reached us from New 

 South Wales. Professor Liversidge, of the University of 

 Sydney, has made overtures to the various scientific bodies in 

 Australia, with a view to the institution of an Australian 

 Association for the Advancement of Science, on the lines of 

 the well-known British Association. Its policy is defined as 

 follows: — "The Association contemplates no interference with 

 the ground occupied by other institutions. Its objects are — To 

 give a stronger impulse and a more systematic direction to 

 scientific inquiry; to promote the intercourse of those who 

 cultivate science in different parts of the British Empire with 

 one another, and with foreign philosophers ; to obtain a more 

 general attention to the objects of science, and a removal of 

 any disadvantages of a pviblic kind which impede its pro- 

 gress." 



Like the British Association, its Australasian offspring 

 will hold annual gatherings in rotation at the various great 

 centres of population. The first group of meetings are 

 proposed to be held in Sydney in 1888, the centenary year^ 

 and will occupy about a week. Delegates from all parts of 

 the colonies are expected. The following year the meetings 

 will be in Melbourne, and so on. Should this movement. 



