4 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 
in their natural state, exposed to the air, without previous prepa- 
ration of any kind, by simply preventing the germs of fermentation 
floating in the atmosphere from coming in contact with them. 
“But M. Pasteur’s labours have had practical results of the 
greatest importance to the world. The first practical applications 
of the truths discovered were made in the case of beer and wine, 
which were often subject to destructive secondary fermentations. 
The discovery of the cause and nature of fermentation enabled him 
to destroy by a determinate degree of heat the organized germs 
that produce these effects, Fermentation can be regulated by the 
tules laid down by him ; and now the manufacture of wine, beer, 
vinegar, &c., which was formerly carried on by empirical processes, 
is governed by science. 
“The next great work of M. Pasteur was undertaken at the 
request of the French Government, which requested him to study _ 
the ‘ pebrine,’ a disease which threatened to exterminate the silk- 
worms of France and Italy. He discovered the cause of the malady 
to be a microscopic organism developed in the silkworm. Then he 
showed that the eggs of the silkworm moths not containing “ cor- 
puscles” always produce healthy worms. This discovery solved 
the problem, and saved the important industry from destruction. 
In speaking of these discoveries Professor Huxley says that they 
are sufficient of themselves to offset the war indemnity of five 
milliards paid by France to Germany after the war.” 
Now, to fill up the remainder of the time usually occupied by a 
presidential address, I have, in default of anything better, strung 
together some gossip connected with scientific matters gathered 
during my recent visit to Europe. As it is now nearly a year 
since my return to Sydney, there must be to some extent a lack 
of novelty in what I have to bring forward, but I have had no 
sufficient leisure to provide anything more deserving of your 
notice. 
On the way homewards I made a break of the voyage at Bombay, 
and took a hasty run by rail to certain historic places in India. 
