26 
unfavourable opinion formerly existed as to the practicability of 
acclimatising the herring in this part of the world, but further 
information led to a more hopeful opinion on the matter. Another 
object which the Council had specially in view, was the collecting of 
information as to the climatic condition of various parts of Victoria 
—or, in other words, to ascertain the capabilities of different portions 
of the colony for the acclimatisation of particular animals, plants, &c. 
There were several great-climatic centres in the colony. For in¬ 
stance, there was the country about the Murray, where the climate 
was very warm, with a dry atmosphere; there was a moist and 
cooler climate in the eastern parts of the colony ; there was the 
equable and not very warm climate in the neighbourhood of the fern- 
tree gullies ; and there was a different kind of climate from any of 
these in the Alpine regions. Next year the Council proposed, by 
practical experiments, to test the influence of these various climatic 
centres upon different plants and animals. He had thought it right 
briefly to allude to these matters, which were some of the objects 
which the Council had in view, as a proof that there was ample 
scope for the labours of the society. The Council were very willing 
to devote a share of their time and attention to the great work of 
acclimatisation, and he hoped that the public would second their 
wishes in a tangible form, by continuing to support the society, and 
assist it in the accomplishments of its objects. (Applause ) 
The Secretary (Mr. George Sprigg) read the Report of the 
Council for the year ending the 31st of August last. (See page 5.) 
Mr. H. J. Chambers moved that the report be adopted, and that 
a vote of thanks be given to the office-bearers and the secretary of 
the society for their services during the year. 
Mr. J. Finlay seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed 
to. 
On the motion of Mr. Selwyn, seconded by Mr. A. Pnrchas, the 
Rev. W. Fellows, Mr. E. P. S. Sturt, and Mr. Henry Box were 
elected to supply the vacancies in the Council caused by three 
members retiring by rotation. 
On the motion of Mr. .T. Steavenson, an alteration was made in 
one of the rules, for the purpose of doing away with the necessity of 
requiring the attendance of the president, one of the vice-presidents, 
or the honorary treasurer, in order to constitute a quorum at the 
meetings of the Council. 
Professor M‘Coy proposed that the following gentlemen be elected 
honorary members of the society, as an acknowledgment of the 
valuable services which they had rendered to the society ;—Edgar 
