Address of Mr. Fairbairn the President. 369 
a hitherto unknown region, in which it has been suggested thaf the 
White Nile has its source, flowing from one of two immense lakes, up- 
wards of 300 miles long by 100 broad, and situated at an elevation of 
4,000 feet above the sea. To these remarkable discoveries I ought to add 
an honorable mention of the sagacious and perilous exploration of Cen- 
tral and Northern Australia by Mr. M’Douall Stuart. 
Having glanced, however imperfectly, at some of the most important 
branches of science which en age the attention of Members of this Asso- 
ciation, I would now invite attention to the Mechanical Sciences, with 
ey be divided i e- 
enlargements. I therefore propose to offer a succinct history of these 
improvements, as an instance of the influence of scientific progress on the 
Well-being of society. Ishall take in review the three chief aids which 
mely s, 
steam navigation and railways; each of which has promoted an incaleu- 
lable extension of the industrial resources of the country. One undred 
Years ago, the only means for the conveyance of inland merchandise 
Were the packhorses and wagons on the then imperfect highways. It 
48 reserved for Brindley, Smeaton and others to introduce a system of 
With steam navigation. You have seen its results on every river an 
Sea; results we owe to the fruitful minds of Miller, Symington, Fulton, 
Am. Jour Sc1.—grcoxp Szries, Vou. XXXII, No. 96.—Nov., 1861. 
47 
