president’s ADDRESS — SECTION R. 
57 
There is much work for the chemist in the direction of the 
application of preservatives for timber against fungi fdry rot. &c.), 
marine borers, and white ants. Then, at the risk of repetition, I 
would remind you that some of our woods contain bitter principles, 
essential oils, and colouring matters. It is only the chemist who can 
make the necessary researches. 
FIBRES. 
I have very little to say on this subject. The researches of the 
chemist in regard to our indigenous fibres would seem to be mainly 
confined to the estimation of cellulose in the various fibre plants and 
fibres, and to methods for the separation of the fibres from the plant. 
The work in fibres, which has hitherto been done in Australia, is more 
of a botanical than a chemical nature. A convenient text-book is that 
by Cross and Bevan on paper-making (Spoil) [Chapters I. -VI.] 
#=*###### 
Here is a mighty agenda list ! Surely no chemist desirous of 
taking up original research can complain of the variety of work 
presented to his choice ! If any of the suggestions I have made, or 
the pleas for research I have put forward, should lead chemists to 
take up any subject connected with our indigenous vegetation, I shall 
feel rewarded by the thought that the presidential address to the 
Chemistry Section has done something to make our organisation true 
to its name — an Association for the Advancement of Science. 
