98 THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 
themselves of the use of the library during the year, and 
that there is every reason to believe that members will 
appreciate its use when it is better known. 
Our little journal, Zhe Australian Naturalist, has 
been issued each quarter, and the thanks of the Coun- 
cil are due to the Lon. Editor (Mr. T. Steel, F.L.S.). 
The journal is much appreciated by the members and 
other lovers of Natural Ltistory. 
During the year two prizes were offered for essays 
on botanical and entomological subjects, by Mr. E. Bick- 
ford and our President (Mr. G. A. Waterhouse, B.Sc., 
B.E., ¥.E.S8.), which resulted in four members respond- 
ing. The prize for the botanical essay on ‘‘Climbing 
Methods of Plants’’ was awarded by Mr. Bickford to Miss 
I’. M. Irby, and the prize for the best essay on ‘‘The In- 
sects Associated with Acacia decurrens,’’ by Mr. Water- 
house, was awarded to Mr. L. Gallard. 
The finances of the Society are in a very creditable 
state, considering the critical conditions caused by the 
war, and our thanks are due to the Hon. Treasurer (Mr. 
H. E. Finckh), who has so ably looked after our interests 
in this important direction. 
At the present time the Council is making an en- 
deavour to obtain the use of a room for our meetings in 
the new building now in course of erection for the 
Department of Public Instruction. 
The correspondence received in reply to the request 
made by the Council seems, so far, to be fairly satis- 
factory, and if eventually successful, we are hopeful that 
the heavy expenses at present incurred in renting rooms 
for our meetings will be utilised in increasing the size 
of the journal. 
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 
“SOME NATURAL HISTORY REMINISCENCES.”’ 
By G. A. Waterhouse, B.Sc., B.E., F.E.S. 
(Abstract. ) 
I propose, first of all, to give you a short account 
of the earlier operations of this Society and its forerun- 
ners, that I hope will not weary you, and make some com- 
parisons with the time, eight years ago, when I previously 
occupied a similar position to that I am occupying to- 
night. 
