l88 EXPLORATION AND REGISTRATION WORK
(c) The exploration of interesting geological deposits, so as to
accumulate, before they disappear, as perfect sets as possible of
characteristic fossils. Examples : our Walton Crag, brick-earths
and terrace gravels.
(f) The study and registration on large-scale maps of coast
erosion and the formation of sandbanks and the silting up of our
estuaries.
(g) Any special investigations which may be suggested by the
County Council itself, or by the British Association
Committee.
5. All specimens, plans, &c., thus obtained or made should be
deposited in the county museum, the museum authorities
undertaking to suitably preserve and register them for future
study.
6. As above indicated, all the reports should be published at
a cheap rate, and copies deposited in local libraries and in the
principal public libraries in the kingdom. The British
Association might well be asked to catalogue these reports from
the several counties as an Appendix to the Report of the Local
Societies Committee.
Such is a rough sketch of my proposal. I have assumed that
a county scientific Society exists in each county. Where this is
not the case, a joint committee of the smaller Societies of the
county might be formed for this business. I may be permitted
to observe that, in my humble opinion, it is most desirable that
such Societies should at once unite to form strong county units.
Each county should have one scientific Society and one
archaeological Association, with local sub-committees, if thought
necessary.
The primary difficulties are left until the last. Would our
county councils consider the subjects mentioned and the
suggested method of treating them of educational value? If so,
would they assist? and, finally, Is such an allocation of educa-
tional funds legal?
It is submitted that the small annual sum mentioned would, if
expended in this way, produce results of considerable educational
value. We spend vast sums in teaching modern history, and
ought we to consider the "buried history of Britain" (as it has
been happily termed) of no importance? The work of collecting
information respecting plants, animals, fossils, encouraged and