THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 157 
short time as we had at our command—bearing in mind, too, 
that everything would have to be put in position on the morning 
of our opening day. That we were able to not merely fill this 
space completely, but to work into it a grand exhibition of sur- 
passing value and interest speaks volumes for the wonderful co- 
operation of those previously referred to. Bear in mind that we 
had a floor space of about 4,900 square ft. to cover, and a wall 
space of about 3,000 square ft. Having been designed for the 
purposes of ‘an: Art Gallery, these rooms lent themselves admir- 
ably for our purposes, as our exhibits naturally included both 
wall and floor specimens, as well as maps, drawings, paintings, 
photographs, ete. 
The lesser hall was used for our Wild Flower section—and 
a lovely picture it made when filled with an array of many 
species of our native flowers from far and near, arranged in 
about 320 vases. On the walls here were Mr. Forster’s paint- 
ings of Orchids and other Australian flowers, with many lovely 
and wonderful Nature photos, Mr. Neville. Cayley’s paintings, 
and illustrations of insects, birds and mammals arranged by Mr. 
Cayley in conjunction with our good friend, Mr. George Robert- 
son (Messrs. Angus & Robertson). The tout ensemble here, as 
one entered, was very pleasing, and made a highly favorable im- 
pression upon the large numbers of the public who attended. 
Passing from this hall to the larger one, we met immediately 
a vista of aquaria, museum showeases, tables of specimens, and 
walls adorned with a multitude of fascinating exhibits which 
might have well ornamented a permanent exhibition, and might 
have held the attention of the public for a very long time. 
Space forbids a full description of this portion of the show or 
of the crowds of delighted people—young and old—who. wand- 
ered (many with notebook and pencil always in use) with ex- 
cited interest from one exhibit to another. 
The Exhibition was formally opened by the Honorable Sir 
Joseph H. Carruthers, LL.D., K.C.M.G., who, made a most in- 
spiring speech. He referred to the good work being performed 
by the Naturalists’ Society in educating the péople, and in as- 
sisting to keep. alive a public interest in our wonderful flowers 
and wild life—which he termed the “Soul of Australia.” He 
* deplored the spirit of vandalism which so often reared its head 
in our midst—even in high places—and which was responsible 
for the destruction of so much of our native fauna and flora. 
Tn this connection special reference was made by Sir Joseph 
to the shameful destruction of age-old trees in our National Park 
area. 
