XX Presidenfs Address. 



siderable series of very valuable zoological, botanical, and pathological 

 works from the leading Viennese publishers. As regards exchanges 

 for our publications, the Council has been considering the best mode 

 of increasing these by a wider distribution of the Transactiojis among 

 scientific societies in Europe, America, and Australia, and also views 

 with favour the proposal to dispose of a certain number of copies at a 

 reduced rate to the principal dealers in scientific books and memoirs 

 in London, Paris, Berlin, and other capitals. The acquisition of copies 

 of all published scientific works relating specially or partly to South 

 Africa is a matter which it is most desirable to keep constantly in 

 view ; and I trust that all members will bear it in mind, and especially 

 that those of us who publish any such works or j^apers, whether in 

 the Colony or elsewhere, will favour the Society's Library with copies. 



12. On the whole, with every endeavour to take an unbiassed view 

 of our c(mdition and prospects, I think that we are justified in con- 

 cluding that our position is rather encouraging than otherwise. We 

 must remember the unexampled depression of the times, when we feel 

 inclined to look on the darker side, and then we shall have ground for 

 satisfaction in finding that we have thus far fully maintained our credit 

 and our efiiciency. Financially, the Society is sound ; numerically, 

 there has been a slight increase, which may fairly be taken as the 

 augury of a larger one ; and, although we must admit how much room 

 there is for improvement, both as regards contributions to and attend- 

 ance at the monthly meetings, there can be no doubt that increasing 

 interest is shown in them by all concerned. I have watched the 

 Society from its birth, and cannot deny having felt some anxiety at 

 times as to its condition ; but it certainly seems to me to have now 

 escaped the risks incident to infancy, and to give promise of a vigorous 

 youth and maturity. Its establishment and continuance have at any 

 rate removed the reproach of our being the only considerable British 

 Colony which was without some organisation for recording the results 

 of local research ; and we can now, as far as in us lies, have the 

 opportunity of contributing to the vast acquisitions of accurate 

 knowledge which are the special glory of modern civilisation. 



It now only remains for me, in relinquishing the President's chair, 

 to o:ffer you my sincerest thanks for the unfailing indulgence and 

 support afforded me during my two years' occupancy of it. 



