WAUGURAL ADDRESS. 
8 
perhaps he learnt from such position.?. Spectroscopic observa- 
tions by Husgins, Secchi, Vogel, D’Arrest, Finlay, Wiedenmmi, 
Schiparelli, Hasselberg and other philosophers lead to additional 
explanations in this respect. 
What photography, an art discovered within the lifetime of 
many assembled here, in pi-ogressive scope may elfect in future, i.s 
as yet mere conjecture. The producing already, but not the 
fixing as yet, of three of the principal colours within the present 
processes of this glorious art holds out some hope, that its faithful 
pictorial representations may become embellished yet by vividity 
of colouration emanating directly and thus unerringly from 
operative processes. 
In a very different way other questions come before us. 
Whether iji the organic world a suppiosed involuntai’y tendency 
of striving for higher development .and further melioration, 
whenever circumstances are favourable, arises from uncontrolled 
impulses, so that nothing i.s left in a stationary distinctiveness I 
AVhether .specific values for clear fliagnosis and systematic fixity 
have in the generality of cases been allotted with adequate scopie? 
Wliether fertile hybridity is far more extensive, than we have 
hitherto been led to .suppose? AVhether diversity in the physical 
conditions of nature can explain the vaster development of 
gigantic mammals an<l birds in the zoologic ages prior to the 
present ? Whether forced accommodation or spontnnetius arlapta- 
Ihlity to altered circitmstances of existence can change gradually 
and even infinitely .structural firganisations and specific functions ? 
AVhether crowding out, however overwhelming, can extend to 
absolute annihilation in the free fiekls of nature, when undisturbed 
by human action, or whether this comljat for .space and .search 
for nourishment i.s limited to mere repression? Whether among 
specific organisations the most powei-ful always dominate to 
the extensive suppressioji of others more numerous? AA'hether 
organi.sms, which in the pre.sent creation-epoch became extinct by 
the hand of man, could possibly ever be restored, by progressive 
growth, even after many lengthened periofls and with everv 
conducivenes.s for i-esuscitation ? AA-^hether our present meajis 
for research are .advanced enough, to distinguish all innate 
peculiarities, with which distinct types in the oi-ganic woild are 
entloweil? AVhether, if all this could be answered in the affirma- 
tive, it woidd be sufficient to account for the marvels of designs 
in organic individuality connected with vital pi'oce.sses, as re^•ealed 
to us from the simple.st and minutest to the most complex and 
huge of living beings, all displaying perfection for their own 
<listinct purposes ? AA'hether all our search for Avhat is know.able 
can ever lead to a worldly insight into the commencement of all 
origination ? Can we contribute from thi.s Association, by 
original unbiassed research here in new countries, towaixls the 
answei'ing these in(jinentou.s questions ? 
