ANNIVEESAEY ADDRESS. 7 



Now, although these quotations appertain to the divisions of 

 work in building up of one science — they may be applied with 

 tenfold force to divisions of study and labour in the whole range 

 of topics included in the aims of such a Society as ours, — though 

 it be chiefly directed towards the study of the physical history of 

 Australia. One man sees one thing, another man observes 

 another thing. When these separate parts are brought together, 

 all of them assist towards completion of the whole object. The 

 manufacture of a single pin requires numerous skilled workmen, 

 and so in any science to do the work effectually there are required 

 numerous observers and skilful application of principles. If, 

 therefore, there be any member of this Society who can con- 

 tribute to any particular branch of study, let him associate himself 

 with others in mutual investigations, and we shall then realize 

 the Sectional or Committee arrangement proposed. 



I know there are with us several good Astronomers, some 

 good Botanists, some clever Mathematicians, Chemists, Surveyors, 

 and Engineers, &c., &c. Now, would not more good come from 

 mutual assistance to each other in the work of our body, if, in 

 each department of science, or art, or literature, facts were 

 brought together from different quarters all tending oneway, viz., 

 towards the completion of our knowledge ? 



There is one other important consideration which ought not to 

 be neglected. 



All persons who have entered upon any kind of scientific study 

 know how needful it is to have the fullest information respecting 

 the state of the particular science which they cultivate. And 

 this is well put in the paper from which I have already quoted 

 two passages. '' The literature of the science," says the author, 

 " is such a vast subject that before adding to it one must neces- 

 sarily learn what has been previously done, and whether one is in 

 possession of any facts not made public, or of any explanations or 

 theories not previously suggested. To study the literature of all 

 branches of geological and paloeontological research would indeed 

 b^ a Herculean task. It is true that our standard manuals 



