38 THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST, 
then delivered the Annual Address, stating at the out- 
set that he proposed not to deal with his own special 
work, but instead, to speak on general subjects of inter- 
est to the Society. In the course of his address Mr. Hamil- 
ton spoke of the immense value of birds in keeping in- 
sect pests in check, and referred to the appalling des- 
truction through poisoning and the cheapness of ‘pea- 
rifles. A birdless world, he said, would be a very un- 
pleasant place to live in, through the consequent uncon- 
trolled increase of insect life, to say nothing of the loss 
of the beauty and songs of the birds. In conclusion, Mr, 
Hamilton congratulated Mr. Waterhouse on the publica- 
tion, in conjunction with Mr. Lyell, of their excellent 
work on Australian Butterflies; and he also referred to 
the notes on botanical and entomological subjects by vari- 
ous members, which have appeared in the Australian 
Naturalist, and are the kind of observational work required. 
Mr. Hamilton then invited Mr. Waterhouse to take up 
the position of President, to which he had been elected. 
Mr. Waterhouse, having returned thanks for the honour 
conferred on him, on the motion of Messrs. Edwards and 
Rainbow, special votes of thanks were passed to the re- 
tiring President, the Hon. Secretary, the Hon. Treasurer, 
and the Hon. Editor for their valuable services to the 
Society. 
Mr. A. A. Hamilton exhibited Olearia myrsinoides, 
Casuarina glauca, and some rare Epacris, with notes. 
Mr. L. Gallard contributed a note on Porismus ‘strigatus. 
'Mr. Bickford drew attention to the interesting forms of 
Drosera, at Maroubra, and mentioned that in West Aus- 
tralia D. Menziesit grew to a height of 7 to 8 feet. Mr. 
Parry sent post-card greetings from Norway, the land of 
the midnight sun. 
The retiring President offered some useful comments 
on the meeting of the British Association now commenced 
in Australia, and spoke of tle value to Australia of the 
visit of so many eminent scientific men. 
ORDINARY MEETING. 
September 1st, 1914——-Mr. G. A. Waterhouse (Presi- 
dent) in the chair. The following were duly elected mem- 
bers:—Misses Deer, B.A., B.Sc., Grossman, and ©. BE. 
Stead (junior member), Mrs. Garvin, and Mr. W. Burley 
Griffen. 
