io POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



that perhaps the most striking feature of the tour was the excellence 

 and elasticity of all the arrangements made for our comfort and con- 

 venience. If the ability shown by the colonists in this direction is 

 any guide, one should not fear much concerning the administration of 

 the colonies in the future. 



In order to secure the attendance of those whose presence was 

 chiefly desired from the scientific side, a fund of over nine thousand 

 pounds was raised, mainly by contributions from the governments of 

 Cape Colony, Natal, the Transvaal and the Orange Eiver Colon} r , and 

 supplemented by subscriptions from private individuals; this was used 

 to pay the greater part of the expenses of the ' official members.' The 

 governments also issued free passes over railways to all oversea mem- 

 bers, and the Rhodesian railways gave a large number for the use of the 

 official party and tickets at half fares for all others. At those places 

 where a stay was made entertainment was provided for the official 

 party, either in private houses or as guests in the hotels; in some 

 places all the members were similarly treated. Most of the excursions 

 were free to those who chose to take advantage of them. It is a 

 privilege tq have an opportunity of saying in public what all of us felt, 

 that the generosity and hospitality displayed by the residents of every 

 town far exceeded our utmost expectations, and the kindness which we 

 received is not likely to be soon forgotten. This loo in a land only 

 beginning to recover from the ravages of civil war, suffering from a 

 two years' drought, with nearly all its cattle exterminated by disease, 

 and in the height of the most severe financial depression it has known 

 for twenty years. 



The official party, numbering about 180, consisted of the president 

 and general officers of the association, the president, a vice-president 

 and a recorder in each section, a number of prominent scientific men, 

 not necessarily officers, and some younger men of promise and ability 

 selected by the general committee. The ladies who accompanied the 

 official members were also attached to the official party. Finally, rep- 

 resentatives of other countries were invited to joint as guests of the 

 association. They included Dr. Backhand, from Russia; Professors 

 Beck, Engler, Harzer and von Luschan, Germany; Professor Bohr, 

 Denmark; Professor Cordier, France; Professor Donner, Sweden; 

 Professor Penck, Austria; Professors Kapteyn and de Sitter, Holland; 

 Mr. D. Randall Maclver, Egypt; Professors Macallum, Coleman, J. B. 

 Porter, Canada; Professors D. H. Campbell, H. S. Carhart. W. M. 

 Davis, W. B. Scott and E. W. Brown, United States; and others who 

 were not able to attend. 



The general officers of the association for the year are: President, 

 Professor G. H. Darwin (now Sir George Darwin, K.C.B.) ; secre- 

 taries, Major P. A. Macmahon, Professor W. A. Herd man: treasurer, 



