Microscopical Society of Victoria. 
41 
action which these may be called on to fulfil, I think, as a society, we 
might take it into consideration, if we are not able to make some 
advance to the public on that occasion which will be of service in 
bringing our studies more particularly before them, and that for 
this purpose we might seek for some room, which would be 
granted, for a specific exliibition on our part. 
I have now to recall your attention to the condition of our 
collection of specimens. I find, on inquiry, we cannot make any 
show, nor have we any specimens which can be regarded as 
having been added with a view to composing a cabinet of 
reference for future use. This was a matter T mentioned to the 
Society last year, and I find very little response has been made to 
it. I think we ought each of us to give a definite quota to the 
general stock, and make up our minds to this end and carry out 
our intention during the coming months. 
I must not forget our expeditions, which we formed last year, 
for the purpose of exploring the neighbourhood for marine and 
terrestrial specimens, as these can be always turned to some 
piofitable account if they are properly arranged and carried out. 
I trust this will be taken in hand, and be increasingly interesting 
and profitable to all of us. 
It is on occasions of this kind we are led to perceive how little 
we really know of and about the objects by which we are 
surrounded, and when we encounter what to us is a novelty we 
then begin to perceive the great pleasure which attends any 
acquisition of knowledge which is directed towards natural 
objects. Hence the great service which sucli expeditions may be 
made to yield to those who will undertake them with a view to 
obtain materials for study, as well as learning their habitats, and 
the method of obtaining them for investigation. 
Looking back on the past year, I think the society can 
congratulate itself on its position and prospects. Let us deserve 
success and we will obtain it. 
