COMMITTEE OF BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 121
" Thirdly, comes the stimulation of mutual example and rivalry. The Local
Societies are especially noted for their wide-reaching aims and the all-embracing
list of subjects which they pursue, not less than for the steady, persevering
persistence with which they will follow up lines of inquiry often as tedious as they
are important. Again, local facilities or individual genius often place one society
or other on some bias or enabled it to do brilliant work in some one direction.
The force of such example is never lost upon the other societies, who may extend
and even amplify the results thus obtained.
" In the fourth place, the Conference has the power, too little used, to ask
for grants, and hence to back those of the Sections. This should have the
effect of helping on those researches which have a local bearing.
" In the last place the Association itself profits in receiving each year
delegates from all over the country, being thus aided in maintaining the
cosmopolitanism which is one of its leading characteristics.
" On looking through the proceedings of the Conference since its beginning, I
have been struck by the appositeness and importance of the subjects brought
before its consideration. I know that you will not all agree with me on this
point, but my distinct impression is that the distinguished men who have served
as your secretaries have brought much skill and judgment to the task of selection.
An improvement might be suggested, all the more readily as it rests in your own
hands. I should like to see each year at least one delegate bring up some topic
which has been treated with conspicuous success by his own Society—not merely
a few casual words dropped into a discussion, but a considered paper dealing with
the technique of an investigation, its difficulties and pitfalls, and some of the con-
clusions to which it is leading. Suggestions, whether from the inside or outside,
as to a desirable piece of work which might be carried out, are usually barren,
unless somebody has actually made the experiment and can give hint?, warnings,
advice, and suggestions for improvement."
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" Then we have museums in the country containing collections of considerable
local interest, and this suggests a further topic. Many societies are handing over
their museums to county and town councils, in some cases with considerable
success. I would suggest to societies that they should retain a large share in the
control of such museums until the town and county authorities have been
thoroughly tried.
At rare intervals there arises in most localities someone with a keen passion
for museum arrangement and management. Treasure such a person for all he is
worth; work him, unmercifully if necessary, but work him hard; give him a
fairly free hand; beg, borrow, or steal for his wants; and get everything you
possibly can out of him while he lasts, for such persons die young. If once a
museum is got into thorough order, made accessible and attractive, the good effect
may last for half a generation—possibly until another prodigy or the paid curator
arrives."
After referring to the many subjects annually brought under
the notice of the Conferences, Prof. Watts thus spoke of some
useful and feasible branches of local geological work:—
" The first geological survey of the country is now nearing completion, and in
the maps there is a wealth of raw material for the local investigator. No one
knows better than the geological surveyor that his work is only just begun when