s 
rare illustrations of what may be done in the 
way of original research, even by such of us as 
are occupied in the pursuits of active life. 
Australia affords fields of investigation and dis- 
covery, such as those 'the most favorably 
situated in older countries wouid strive alter in 
vain. It must not, however, be supposed that 
we wish to devote an exclusive attention to 
those sciences which, like natural history, have 
interest enough in themselves to ensure them a 
favorable hearing from all. We shall lend a 
ready ear to those who are willing to make us 
the auditors of scientific communications of 
any kind, and if we cannot attain to universal 
knowledge, we shall at least, I hope, exhibit a 
universal scientific toleration. The papers read 
before the Society during the present year have 
been as follows : — 
Mr. Le Gould, “ On the Coniferous Trees of 
Queensland.” 
Mr. Rawnslev, <c On the Habits of the Satin 
Bird.” 
The President, “ On Linear Differential 
Equations.” 
Mr. Diggles, “ On the Microscopic Scales of 
Insects.” 
Dr. Waugh, “ On Spectrum Analysis.” 
The list is not a long one ; but I hope that the 
Society has no reason to be other than satisfied 
with the papers thus published with its ap- 
proval. In that of Dr. Waugh, we have a 
valuable account of the spectrum discoveries 
and their results, and a comprehensive view of 
the subject, which not only interests him, who, 
like me, looks at it with the eye of a mere 
amateur, but which must also interest all who 
delight in observing the correlations of science. 
In perusing Dr. Waugh’s paper, we see how 
optical research has contributed to chemical 
discovery, and how chemistry promises to 
repay the debt by disclosing to natural philo- 
sophy the forms and dimensions of the ulti- 
mate particles of matter. How marvellous 
that optics should thus be brought into 
strict relation to toxicology, and that the 
prismatic observations of Fraunhofer should 
thus be made subservient to the purposes of 
police. But this is only one insiance of that, 
often unexpected, relation of one science to 
another which meets us a< we turn over each 
page of the volume of philosophy. From this 
relation each derives new applications and a 
now value ; and we, in common with all, 
should hail with delight results which place 
upon the same platform those who would 
otherwise be working isolatedly and on solitary 
fields. Here, then, is a new and common 
ground on which the chemist and the physi- 
cist can meet in the same way that the physi- 
cian, the lawyer, and the chemist, meet on the 
common ground of medical jurisprudence. 
And there is a common ground on which, 
strange as it may seem, the physiologist and 
the mathematician may meet. In July last 
Mr. Benjamin Gompertz, once actuary to the 
A liance Life Office, died in his eighty-seventh 
year. Apart fr >m other titles to distinction 
as a mathematician, to Gomper‘z is ascribed 
the discovery of what has been aptly termed 
“ a mathematical law of human mortality, 
which embodies what may be called a physio- 
logical principle. It bears the following ex- 
pression — that vitality, or the power to op- 
pose death, loses equal proportions in equal 
times.” Speculations, mere speculations, will 
say some. Be it so: but it is upon the accu- 
racy of such speculations that the prosperity 
of insurance offices depends : it is upon the 
accuracy of the astronomer and the geometer 
that the navigator relies ; and it is from the 
results of some “ visionary speculator ” that 
the practical man often derives the rules which 
he applies without understanding the reasons 
on which they are founded. I am not of those 
who would claim for the theoretical an invidi- 
ous place of superiority over the practical man. 
But I think that the claims of the former 
should be as warmly supported by us, as a 
body, as those of the la ter, and the 
generous mind will always refrain from 
drawing invidious comparisons between them. 
It is, moreover, a mistake to suppose that, by 
narrowing our view, we in all cases take the 
best observation even of that narrow view 
which we seek to master. The ablest men on 
particular subjects have often a knowledge, by 
no means superficial, of subjects not having 
any obvious connection with that on which 
their fame is founded. A conspicuous example 
of this is seen in one whose recent death will 
be deeply deplored by many. In September 
last, Sir William Rowan Hamilton, Professor 
of Astronomy in the University of Dublin, 
and Astronomer Royal of Ireland, died at the 
Dunsink Observatory. Born in Dublin in 
1805, and educated at Trinity College, Dublin, 
he was appointed, in 1827, Astronomer Royal 
of Ireland and Professor of Astronomy, which 
post, attained by him at the age of about two- 
and-twenty, he filled down to the time of his 
decease. To naany persons he was, perhaps, 
better Known by his researches on physical 
subjects, than by bis theory of “ Quaternions 
but the lattei is one of surpassing interest, 
simplicity, novelty, originality, importance, and 
extent, which I mention now because, before I 
conclude, I shaL' have occasion to allude to 
that theory in conuection with the progress of 
mathematical science in Australia. Now, this 
mau, whose renown wag European, who on his 
own field of research was unapproachable, and 
who, I believe, possessed many attainments 
which some would elaas rather with 
aceomplishm nts than acquirements, found lei- 
sure to examine the metaphysical speculations 
of Kant, and in his paper “On Algebra con- 
sidered as the Science of Pure Time,” has, 
while leaving a record of genius, lefc also an 
illustration of the light which the study of one 
science may throw on another apparently but 
