»45 
Nov. i, 1885.] The Australasian Scientific Magazine. 
fondly supposed, and the noblest use of life was to expose error and bring 
truth to light, even if the error was of the most apparently innocent kind, 
and the truth of the least obvious importance. Lines of in vestigation of 
the most apparently useless kind sometimes led to results of the highest 
practical importance, which would have been altogether missed had the 
iuvestigator too anxiously asked cui bona at the outset. There were lines 
of scientifiic investigation in various directions which were at present 
in a similar state to the science of physics in the days of Gahleo or Galvani. 
Then, again, it must be remembered that the various sciences were 
mutually dependent. Not only the results, but the modes of inquiry 
adopted in one direction, often threw new light upon apparently remote 
questions. The Royal Society of Victoria was now 27 years old, and was 
in a fairly properous condition. The discussions, however, depended too 
much upon a few regular speakers, and thus lacked the interest that sprang 
from variety. The numerous special societies competed with the parent 
body, and diverted much of our younger talent. However, they ought to 
rejoice at the numerous manifestations of scientific activity, even though they 
did not take place under the immediate control of the Royal Society. 
The society’s library continued to increase, and the question of addi- 
tional accommodation was already in the handsofa committee. A number 
of interesting and valuable papers had been read during the year. Of the 
sections, section A was the only one in esse , and it was doing good work 
in discussing engineering questions of the day. The society had lost 
several members by death during the year, amongst them being Mr. Gilbee, 
M.R.C.S, (who was one of the founders of the institution), Mr. E. Davy, 
M.R.C.S., Dr, Edward Barker, and Dr. David E. Wilkie. Of kindred 
institutions, the Field Naturalists’ Club was making steady progress ; the 
Geographical Society of Australasia was busily engaged in important 
practical work. A Historical Society had recently been constituted. 
The Geological Society of Australasia has been instituted with success, 
and already numbers some 100 members. The Pharmacy Board and 
Pharmaceutical Society had continued their work, and the Microscopical 
Society rendered valuable aid in a very interesting branch of scientific 
research. The Industrial Museum and School of Technology and the 
Museum of Natural History were being steadily extended, and the Schools 
of Mines at Ballarat and Sandhurst continued to flourish. The Melbourne 
University, the great centre of higher education for the colony, attracted 
a larger number of students every year, and increasingactivity wasfoundin 
every branch ofknowledge. With the increasedaccommodation that was so 
urgently required, andwithadditionalteachingpower, our University would 
have noneed tofearcomparison with any similarinstitution inolder countries. 
In astronomical circles the past year had not been a very eventful one. 
Steady work and gradually-increasing efficiency had characterised it, rather 
than novel and startling discoveries. No very remarkable engineering 
work had been initiated or completed during the year. The predictions 
which he had himself made in December, 1883, as to the relative 
capabilities of gas and steam engines, and the extent to which the former 
power would be utilised, had been amply verified, and the latest type of 
gas engine produced should far excel in economic result any steam engine 
ever made or likely to be made. In electric lighting the age of 
extravagent expectations and reckless speculations was over, and had been 
succeeded by steady, slow', but healthy progress. As a mode of trans- 
mitting power electricity had several formidable competitors. As an 
