1882.] 



President's Address. 



305 



Clifford's mathematical fragments, and the catalogue in two handsome 

 volnmes from the Public Library of Victoria. 



The printing of the general part of onr library catalogue is in pro- 

 gress, and has reached the letter W ; and although, owing to un- 

 foreseen difficulties the hope expressed last year, that it would have 

 been now finished, has not been fulfilled, yet there seems little doubt 

 that early next year it may be in the hands of the Fellows. 



On the completion of this work the Library Committee contemplate 

 resuming another decade, 1874-83, of the great Catalogue of Scientific 

 papers ; and the President and Council trust that the success which 

 has attended the publication of the eight volumes already in existence 

 will justify the Treasury in undertaking the printing of the second 

 supplement when the MS. has been prepared. 



In the staff of the Society I have happily no change to report. Of 

 the existing members my own feelings would impel me to say much 

 more ; but, while they would probably wish me to be silent, I trust 

 they will pardon me in this one remark : that while recent changes 

 make me less apprehensive of any future alterations, they at the same 

 time make me hope that any alteration may be long postponed. 



Although the number of papers presented to the Society during the 

 past year, apart from their contents, does not convey any very im- 

 portant information, yet in continuation of past practice I may 

 perhaps carry on the ten years' table. It is as follows, showing a 

 slight diminution in the past year : — 



1873 

 1874 

 1875 

 1876 

 1877 

 1878 

 1879 

 1880 

 1881 

 1882 



92 papers received. 



98 „ 



88 „ „ 



113 „ 



no „ 



118 „ 



123 „ 



127 „ 



109 „ 



Among the papers of this year, I may notice the elaborate research 

 by Dr. Debus on " The Chemical Theory of Gunpowder," forming the 

 Bakerian lecture ; the careful and long- continued investigations by 

 Professors Liveing and Dewar on the spectra of water, and of carbon, 

 and of mixed vapours. 



Nor must I omit mention of Dr. C. W. Siemens' bold and original 

 theory of the conservation of solar energy, which has already given 

 rise to so much discussion. It will be sufficient for me here to say 

 that npon the questions therein raised the last word has been by no 

 means said ; and that, whether the theory be ultimately established, or 



