THE 



POPULAR SCIENCE^ 



MONTHLY £ 



JANUARY, 1906 



AfASS 



WITH THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION IN SOUTH AFEICA 



By Professor ERNEST W. BROWN, 



HAYERFORD COLLEGE 

 I. 



n A HE visit of the British Association to South Africa during the 

 ^~ past summer appears to have established the idea that its activ- 

 ities in future are not to be confined to the British Isles. Two success- 

 ful oversea meetings had already taken place; the first at Montreal, 

 in 1884, and the second at Toronto, in 1897, and there seemed to be 

 no reason why the suggestion of a meeting in Cape Town, made as far 

 back as 1898, by Sir David Gill, astronomer royal at the Cape, should 

 not be followed up. But there were many difficulties in the way. It 

 was obvious at the outset that few would be willing to make two long 

 journeys by sea unless opportunities were afforded to visit the chief 

 places of interest in other parts of South Africa. It was obvious too 

 that few T of those whose presence was chiefly desired would be in a 

 position to afford the necessary expense unless very considerable assist- 

 ance were forthcoming, and the general funds of the association were 

 not intended, nor were they sufficient, for this purpose. Further, 

 there are few towns where accommodation for several hundred visitors 

 can be obtained, and this meant that special trains with dining and 

 sleeping cars must be provided; the trunk lines in the colonies have a 

 supply of rolling stock not much more than is sufficient for the few 

 who travel long distances in South Africa. 



While the matter was under discussion, war broke out. But those 

 who were interested did not lose sight of the idea, and early last year 

 it took more definite shape in generous offers of assistance from the 

 governments and towns in South Africa. In the meantime, many 

 changes had occurred. The new colonies must be included in the 

 itinerary; opportunities must be afforded to see places and districts 



