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CORRESPONDING SOCIETIES.
ference many new lines of work to be taken up by our local societies. In most
cases they already possess programmes which are pretty heavily weighted,
some societies perhaps undertaking even more than they can satisfactorily
accomplish; and I believe it would probably be better in most cases to
systematise and improve the existing work than to attempt the introduction of
new departments of study. The governing body in each society might well
be charged with the duty of seeing that the work is worthy of the present
position of science. The steady growth of scientific education in this country
during recent years ought to tell most favourably upon the character of our
local societies. New members come prepared with a groundwork of scientific
training unknown to most of the older members at the time they entered, and
as a consequence the work of the society should be lifted to a higher level
than that on which we were formerly content to let it rest. It is satisfactory
to note that in many cases this has been thoroughly realised, and indeed a
review of the proceedings of the various local societies at the present day shows
that a high standard of excellence is often attained."—Ed.]
The Rev. J. O. Bevan, M.A., read a paper in support of the
following resolution :—
" That the Committees of the Corresponding Societies be invited to lay
before their members the necessity of carrying on a systematic survey of their
counties in respect to ethnology, ethnography, botany, meteorology,
ornithology, archaeology, folklore. &c."
In the course of his communication he spoke as follows : —
"It is hereby suggested that the Conference of Delegates should select
one or more subjects of pressing interest, and undertake to bring before the
respective societies the advisability of undertaking systematic work (each in
its own district) in these directions. The affiliated societies, through their
Delegates, would be expected to make a return of the results—partial or com-
plete—at the ensuing meeting of the British Association
In the choice of subjects three considerations (at least) present them-
selves :—
(a.) They should be of a general kind, capable of being worked up by
the local societies in their respective districts.
(b.) Preliminary arrangement should be arrived at whereby may be
determined the lines and limits of investigation, the mode of tabulation of
results, the scale of chart or map, the scheme of symbolical representation,
coloration, nomenclature, conventional arrangement of detail, the method,
form, size of publication, and the like.
(c.) A special society or expert should be indicated as ready to advise in
regard to each of the particular subjects.
" The ends to be gained are these: The taking stock of all facts by a con-
nected series of methodical surveys; their registration before the corroding
effect of time, the amalgamation of race, or any other cause, puts it beyond the
reach of effort; the full completion of surveys already begun; the setting
forth of results in a manner directly susceptible of useful comparison. A
collateral advantage would be the discovery of a considerable amount of work