ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 



33 



Forest Flora of New South Wales," by Mr. J. Ednie Brown, f.l.s., 

 Director-General of Forests in New South Wales. (3) A second 

 edition, with additions, of " Plants indigenous in the neighbour- 

 hood of Sydney," by the Rev. Dr. Woolls, f.l.s. 



The Linnean Society of New South Wales deserves special 

 mention here for its great services in fostering a spirit of scientific 

 inquiry, not only in Botany but in Natural History generally. The 

 name of the Hon. Sir William Macleay, m.l.c, f.l.s., should not 

 be omitted when speaking of the Linnean Society of New South 

 Wales ; very much of its success is due to the great interest taken 

 by him in the Natural Sciences and to his princely munificence by 

 which the Linnean Society has obtained a fine hall, enriched with 

 many scientific books and recently endowed by him with no less 

 than £14,000. Sir William has moreover shown his public spirit 

 and his great interest in the fostering of the study of Natural 

 History by the donation to the Sydney University of what is now 

 known as the Macleay Museum. 



I should also not omit to refer approvingly to the Field 

 Naturalists' Society of New South Wales, which held its first 

 annual meeting and exhibition on the 1st and 2nd April last, 

 under the Presidency of Mr. J. H. Maiden, f.l.s., f.c.s., when a 

 very encouraging report was presented. The periodical excurs- 

 ions in search of specimens may induce many young persons to 

 pursue the paths of science. A similar Society in Victoria has 

 effected much good in this direction. 



The Agricultural and Forest Departments, though principally 

 directed to practical matters, will no doubt exercise a powerful 

 influence on the botany of this colony and lead to the accurate 

 study of those species which are of economic value. 



Water Conservation and Irrigation. — The importance to this 

 Colony of a well considered scheme of Water Conservation and 

 Irrigation does not here require to be insisted on, being universally 

 admitted. It is therefore a matter of congratulation that the 

 Government saw fit to establish last year a special Branch of the 



C— May 6, 1891. 



