18 
President's Address. 
was the survey of Gipps Land, in which part of the Colony 
25 localities have been examined, with a view to determine 
the magnetic elements. Throughout the whole of the Colony 
230 places were in this way determined at all elevations, 
from the level of the sea to 7,200 feet ; the aggregate number 
of miles passed through amount to nearly 1 1,000, over which 
the magnetic stations are distributed in such a manner, that 
the greatest distance between them is 30 miles, frequently 
only 18 or 20. As by far the greater number of places had 
not previously been accurately determined with regard to 
geographical position, the latitude had to be observed for the 
purpose of obtaining an accurate azimuth, necessary for the 
determination of the magnetic declination of the needle. 
The computations based upon these observations have 
been completed, and their publication will be undertaken 
without delay at the public expense of the Colony. The 
maps, also, to accompany the work are already compiled. 
In conjunction with the Magnetic Survey a hypsometrical 
survey was carried out, and the elevation above the sea of 
upwards of two thousand places was ascertained by means 
of mercurial barometers ; the results of this work will be 
published as an appendix to the Magnetic Survey. 
The results of the labours of the Magnetic Observatory in 
connection with the Magnetic Survey are so extensive that 
it was thought advisable to publish them in London on 
behalf of the Colony, and at the colonial expense. The 
survey and the original observations of the Magnetic Obser- 
vatory, will appear in two or three large volumes. 
The Geodetic Survey being another great national scientific 
work, under the direction of Mr. Ellery, the Secretary of our 
Society, may be considered immediately after the Observa- 
tories, and is a subject likely to interest scientific departments 
in other countries. 
This Survey, which was commenced here under the advice 
of our Vice-President, Mr. Ligar, in the end of 1858, has now 
gradually progressed over a large portion of the country. 
The objections that were raised so loudly against this 
method of surveying at first, arose in great measure, no 
doubt, from a mistaken statement made in Parliament that 
it was intended as a cheap substitute for the great Trigono- 
metrical Survey, and was to supersede it. These objections 
have by experience proved practically fallacious, and have 
died out. 
