122 
president’s ADDRESS SECTION E. 
the most primitive of autochthones to the high phases of civilisation 
at the present age is too sudden to allow the plainest of all nomads, 
though under present conditions born as British subjects, to embrace 
without detriment the forms of social life dictated by the needs of the 
present age. We are as early settlers not exposed to combats with 
ferocious animals, and ophidian dangers are conquered b} r a physician 
of our own country and time. The marsupial lion, terrific as his name- 
sake of Africa, which here also preyed on the gigantic creatures of 
Australian pastures, perished with them for ever at a past geologic 
period, and no process of evolution will ever restore them. W e are 
exempt from seism otic disturbances, those terrors which even in the 
latest days befell Venezuela and some other regions, inasmuch as the 
active volcanoes, through geologic curves from Japan aud the Sunda 
Islands to Mount Erebus, seem to act as safety-valves for our conti- 
nent, a boon which we are apt to forget to be grateful for. We enjoy 
almost over the whole Australian expanse a salubrious clime, too 
dry for generating miasmatic exhalations, spaciously or con- 
tinuously, and thus the comparative dryness of oul* atmosphere 
diminishes also the dangers of local contagious and infectious 
influences ; and though this scantiness of humidity brings with it 
certain disadvantages, these are far outweighed by gains. Even where 
seemingly forbiddiug deserts prevail, the glittering of the noblest 
of metals gives a footing to enterprise, and, as a sequence, gives far- 
reaching resuscitating prosperity to rural effort, through the opening 
up of water- riches, hidden since the creation days of the present 
epoch. We furthermore, though widely deprived of navigable rivers, 
can seize on the facilities, which the levelness of most tracts of 
Australia affords, for the easiest communication across the whole 
continent in most directions. We live in winterless climes with a 
double spring, best appreciated by those enfeebled by sufferings who 
had to dread the severities of the frosty season in the lands of their 
ancestors, and thus iu this division of the terrestrial world, unlike to 
Europe, we can rear all products of the intratropic zoues, with a rural 
scope considered as a whole simply unlimited. 
We live under the British sceptre, under the sway of that throne 
which reigns over the greatest territorial possessions on our planet. 
Strengthened by such a power, we are blessed by the high religious 
sentiment which iu British communities prevails ; and we have the 
additional boon that on soil the free gift to these colonies, we can 
build up our institutions unhindered by traditions, usages, and 
privileges of the past, in a youthful country where the discoveries, toil- 
somely gained through centuries iu ancient countries, can be applied 
with the widest scope and ceaseless influences. Such then is the 
felicitous position of Australia, auguring for a great future. It devolves 
largely upon us as Geographers to take our part in conducting 
Australia to its greatest destinies. 
The fields are immense for our action ; they are not encircled by 
the outer boundaries of these colonies. We are expected also to take 
our share in carrying the torch of our science into the dark or 
unknown recesses of neighbour lands. 
We are aiding to build up the happiuess and rich wealth of our 
fellowmen in adjoining islands, and to derive mutual benefit also from 
new lines of commerce for our own communities, all the more urgent 
