ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 3 
from the miocene tertiary beds at Dalton, near Gunning, together 
with a collection of silurian fossils from the beds near Yass, 
recently presented by another member of the Society, Mr. J. K. 
Hume, of Yass. It is interesting to note that miocene leaf beds 
have been found in the northern hemisphere as far north as latitude 
79°. The plants founds in these beds, according to Professor 
Heer, indicate that a tropical or sub-tropical climate prevailed 
during the miocene period within the present Arctic regions. 
The building in which we meet being now the property of the 
Society (the purchase having been completed last year) the Council 
has been able to fit up a small room as a Library, which already 
has been a great convenience to members ; and we hope to make 
suitable arrangements for the preservation and due exposition of 
specimens and instruments ; in fact, to make a commencement of 
a philosophical museum, useful and instructive to the members. 
This, however, requires more money, and will in time require more 
space than the present building affords. As the property now 
held by the Society is of considerable and increasing value, the 
Council has had under its consideration the propriety of getting 
the Society incorporated by an Act of our Legislature. In the 
meantime the building has been vested in Trustees. 
Last year the Society was deprived of the highly esteemed 
Services of one of the Honorary Secretaries, Professor Liversidge ; 
but during his absence in Europe he was not unmindful of us, and 
to his attention we are indebted for the purchase of a number of 
valuable books and an excellent microscope. He also exerted 
himself to make our Society more widely known, and to open up 
friendly communications = = — Institutions. To-night 
we have the pleasure of gst us. But now 
we have to regret the Jee: teenies: wely I etki the other 
Honorary Secretary, Dr. Leibius, who, after twenty-two years’ 
absence, has gone to revisit his native country. Iam sure that the 
best wishes of the Society follow him. And here I must call your 
- attention to the debt of gratitude the Society owes to both of these 
gentlemen, who now for four years have filled the arduous and 
