for the year 1867. Vv 
exploration to the south-west, the rumour of the existence of 
white people among the Carpentaria tribes having been 
found to be without foundation. , 
As regards the progress of arts and manufactures in this 
and the other Australian colonies, I think I scarcely need 
speak. The Intercolonial Exhibition has fully informed us 
of the rapid strides the Australians have made during the last 
few years, especially in the mechanical arts and manu- 
factures. 
To pass in review the many interesting and im- 
portant results of the progress of science and art in the 
Western world, would, I fear, occupy far more time than I 
have now left to keep my address within the orthodox 
limits. J must, therefore, pass over with simple mention 
that grand achievement, the successful laying of the 
“Atlantic cable; the new method of obtaining dynamic 
electricity in almost unlimited quantity, by Mr. Wild’s 
invention ; the researches of Dr. Frankland into the che- 
mistry of food and assimilation ; Dr. Richardson’s mode of 
producing insensibility to pain by refrigeration with ether 
spray ; and the various contributions to our knowledge of 
solar physics, astronomy, spectrum analysis, geology, che- 
mistry, and other branches of science. 
I would, however, with your permission, dwell for a few 
minutes on the subject of that splendid phenomenon, 
the meteor-shower of November last. It will be in the 
memory of some of the members that, at a meeting in 
October, I informed those present that a most unusual 
fall of meteors was looked for on the night of the 13th 
or 14th of November, but that it was anticipated to 
occur principally on the western portion of the earth’s 
surface ; yet we might, if the sky were clear, witness an 
unusual number in these regions. Unfortunately, the even- 
ings and nights of both the 13th and 14th were cloudy, but 
