president's address. 
667 
rainfall the partially reclaimed lacustrine area in Pliocene times 
was gradually opened up to immigration, until the central region 
must have supported a wonderful fauna including Diprotodom 
JSTototherium, large kangaroos, wombats, and crocodiles, &c. Of the 
remarkable flora which must have coexisted for the support of the 
gigantic herbivores, we know even less than of the extraordinary 
fauna. In Post Pliocene times set in the dry period which still 
continues. Such members of the fauna as could not adapt them- 
selves to the new conditions were driven out. 
The Botanical, Geological, and Anthropological Parts of the 
Report, as well as the Narrative, are still to come. In its com- 
plete form therefore this fine work bids fair to be the most com- 
prehensive and complete account of the natural history of any 
part of Australia ever issued in a self-contained form. 
In conclusion it would seem not out of place to tender the 
hearty congratulations of this Society to Mr. Horn, and to the 
accomplished naturalists who took part in the expedition, as well 
as to the various specialists who, in the more prosaic share of 
working up the material, have still done what they could to crown 
the work of the expedition with success. The amount of zeal 
and hard work which Professor Spencer in a three or four-fold 
capacity has expended on his share of the undertaking is evident 
enough from a mere inspection of the Report. The style and 
finish of Mr. Wendel's plates, mostly reproduced from drawings 
by Professor Spencer, as well as the letter-press, are as much a 
source of satisfaction as the contemplation of the fact that except 
in two groups it has not been necessary to go outside the limits of 
Australia to find specialists able and willing to undertake the 
necessary systematic work. 
On the motion of Mr. R. Etheridge, Junr., seconded by Mr. 
J. H. Maiden, a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the 
President for his interesting Address. 
The Hon. Treasurer read the financial statement of the Society's 
accounts. The report of the Auditors could not be presented, as 
one of them was still unavoidably absent from Sydney on official 
business. 
