184 EXPLORATION AND REGISTRATION WORK
mittee from year to year. I have also been struck with the lack
of practicability of many of these recommendations from my
point of view—that is, of one having the success and progress of
his society at heart. Such matters as "The Collection of
Statistics concerning Trained Chemists employed in English
Chemical Industries"; investigations concerning "The Resistance
of Road Vehicles to Traction," or the "Consideration of means
by which better practical effect can be given to the introduction
of the Screw Gauge proposed by the Association in 1884," and
the like, although subjects of professional importance, are but
little adapted to enlist the co-operation of a body of amateur
biologists, geologists, and archaeologists. It seems to me that
the subjects most likely to prove attractive to the members of
the greater number of our local Societies are those connected
with such branches of science as are within the opportunities and
abilities of amateur observers, and which at the same time are
such as will arouse the enthusiasm and "county-patriotism" of
the supporters of the Societies. It is difficult at all times to
obtain a sufficient number of members to permit of the carrying
out of the necessary work of the Societies (meetings, publica-
tions, etc.), and it is still more arduous to collect funds for
any piece of work supplemental to the routine business. I
suggest that local Societies will best aid in their humble way the
progress of science by confining their energies to the acknow-
ledged three main objects of their existence—the minute study
of the natural history and archaeology of the counties; in
educational work of a propagandist character; and in assisting
in the formation of well-planned local museums and scientific
libraries in their own districts.
All holding similar views will cordially approve of such pieces
of work as the photographic survey of a county, or of the
botanical survey advocated in a paper placed upon the agenda at
the present meeting. And to be welcomed is the project for the
preparation of a map index to prehistoric remains, so ably advo-
cated by Mr. C. H. Read, F.S.A., at the Belfast meeting of this
Committee.2 I should like to expatiate briefly upon these ideas,
and, as I have no authority to speak for other counties, I will
confine my remarks to Essex.
2 Abstracted in the last part of the Essex Naturalist ante pp. 123-6.