182 MEETING OF CORRESPONDING SOCIETIES'
The main feature of the second Conference of Delegates, held
on Tuesday, Sept. 15, was a valuable communication from our
Secretary, Mr. William Cole. Under the title of "A suggestion
with respect to Exploration and Registration Work for County
Local Societies," the writer pointed out the way in which local
scientific activity might be encouraged by financial assistance
from the Education Committees of our County Councils.
[These suggestions are printed on another page (p. 183). Ed.]
Mr. Cole's suggestions were well received by the delegates,
and have since been sympathetically discussed by the Corres-
ponding Societies Committee. Certain legal difficulties with
respect to the allocation of the Technical Instruction money have,
however, been raised; but it may be hoped that these in due
course will be overcome.
Mr. Herbert Stone, the President of the Birmingham
Natural History and Philosophical Society, submitted a letter
relating to the question of railway fares for members of Local
Societies on excursions. He held that tickets at reduced fares
should be granted to members individually, and not necessarily
going in parties. Such a privilege, it appears, is conceded to
anglers and golfers, but has been refused to members of natural
history societies.
The Assistant-Secretary of the Royal Meteorological Society
appealed to the various local societies for copies of any papers
and reports which they may publish relating to meteorology, in
order that the titles may duly appear in the International Catalogue
of Scientific Literature, which is being assisted, so far as British
meteorology is concerned, by the Society.
The Rev. T. R. R. Stebbing, F.R.S., begged the delegates
to assist him in obtaining specimens of well-shrimps, for his
report on the Underground Fauna of Great Britain. These
little freshwater crustaceans are apt to escape notice, or to be
considered not worth collecting.
Miss Sargant, of the Holmesdale Natural History Club,
expressed her desire to obtain information from local naturalists,.
in connection with her investigations on British orchids.
She is anxious to receive particulars as to the length of time in the year
during which the leaves of any native orchid are above ground.
[The leaves are commonly so inconspicuous that they escape notice out of the
flowering seasons].