Life and Crystals: Anniversary Address

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 28, 1895, Unnumbered Page

by Professor A. P. Thomas, F.L.S., President The President delivered the anniversary address. Abstract. The President prefaced his address by speaking of various local matters of particular interest to members of the Institute. All would be glad to hear that the ground was clear for the acquisition of the Little Barrier Island, and its setting on one side for the preservation of the fauna and flora of New Zealand—a project initiated by the Institute in 1886. He expressed the hope that, as soon as the purchase was completed, the Government would take steps to remove the Maoris now living on the island, and would also prevent the visits of unscrupulous collectors. The unsuitability of the present lecture-room for the purposes of the Society was dwelt upon. Some members were of opinion that the diffusion of scientific knowledge by means of meetings, popular lectures, &c., was no essential part of the duties of the Institute. He did not agree with these, but considered they should do all in their power to make their meetings more attractive and instructive. But this implied a larger room, and the possession of suitable apparatus for illustrating the lectures or papers read. He trusted that the matter would be fully considered by the Council during the coming session. He then passed on to the subject he had selected for his address, “Life and Crystals”: the phenomena presented by life, and the phenomena presented by inorganic matter, particularly with regard to structure and growth. The structure of the living cell, and its component parts, was described with considerable detail; as also the structure and growth of crystals. The address was copiously illustrated with diagrams, many of which had been specially prepared for the occasion.