Vlll. ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. 



delivery of the following course of Science Lectures during 

 the present Session, viz.: — 



Popular Science Lectures. 



A series of popular Science Lectures will be delivered at the Society's House, on the 



fourth Thursday in each month at 8 p.m., as follows : — (See exception *) 



June 23rd— " The Distribution of Life in Australasia," by Charles Hedley, f.l.s., Aus- 

 tralian Museum, Sydney. 



July 28th— " The Fabric of the Universe," by G. H. Knibbs, f.r.a.s., etc., Acting Pro- 

 fessor of Physics, University of Sydney.* 



Aug. 25th — Conversazione (if practicable). 



Sept. 22nd — "The Solar System and Southern Sky" by H. A. Lenehan, f.r.a.s., etc., 

 Acting Government Astronomer, Sydney Observatory. 



Oct. 27th — "The Ncrcous System in its Genesis and Development," by Dr. J. Froude 

 Flashman, m.d., Honorary Lecturer in Psychological Medicine and Neurology, 

 University of Sydney, Director of the Pathological Laboratory of the Lunacy 

 Department. 



Nov. 24— " The Steam Engine and its Modern Rivals," by S. H. Barraclough, b.e. (Sydney) 

 m. m. e. (Cornell); Assoc. M. Inst. c.E. ; Lecturer in Mechanism and Applied 

 Thermodynamics, University of Sydney. 

 * This lecture will be delivered in the Physics Lecture Theatre of the University. 



Professor F. B. Guthrie, f.t.c, f.c.s., then delivered the 

 Presidential Address, and afterwards vacated his seat. 



The President, in the course of his address, said that the 

 balance sheet showed that the Society was in a fairly 

 flourishing- condition ; last year the Society exchanged its 

 journal with 431 kindred societies, receiving in return 328 

 volumes, 1,729 parts, 207 reports, etc. The number of 

 members on the roll on April 30th, 1903, was 344. During 

 the year 22 new members had been elected ; deaths num- 

 bered 6, and resignations 13, leaving a total of 347 to date. 



A resume was given of the condition of chemistry and 

 chemists in the State. Of the teaching institutions, the 

 University made ample provision for teaching chemistry; 

 about 300 students were in attendance at lectures, and 

 about 150 doing practical work in the laboratories. Within 

 the last five years a well-equipped metallurgical and assay- 

 ing laboratory had been erected where students received a 

 complete course of instruction, including assaying and 

 technical analysis and bulk treatment of ores. There were 

 also the Technical College, the Mint, the Departments 



