Professor Forbes's Address to the British Association. 257 



ligations recommended in general terms, in one or other of the 

 publications of the Society. 



To others the Association has not scrupled to commit a por- 

 tion of the funds at their disposal, for the purpose of pursuing 

 objects which required an outlay, which might be deemed un- 

 reasonable by individuals. Among the most important of these 

 is the collection of the Numerical Constants of Nature and Art, 

 which are of perpetual recurrence in physical inquiries, and 

 which has been confided to the superintendence of Mr Bab- 

 bage. When objects of still more peculiar national importance 

 presented themselves, the Association has fulfilled its pledge, of 

 stimulating Government to the aid of science. Five hundred 

 pounds have been advanced by the Lords of the Treasury to- 

 wards the reduction of the Greenwich Observations, at the in- 

 stance of the Association ; and more recently the observations 

 recommended by the Committee on Tides, have been undertaken 

 by order of the Lords of the Admiralty, at above 500 stations 

 on the coast of Britain. 



Individuals, as we have said, have been stimulated by the in- 

 fluence of the Association, but so may nations and great bodies 

 of men. Its published proceedings have found their way into 

 every quarter, and are tending to produce corresponding efforts 

 in distant lands. Our reports on science have produced some 

 very interesting counterparts in the literary town of Geneva. 

 America has taken the lead in several departments of experiment 

 recommended by the Association ; and the instructions for con- 

 ducting uniform systems of observation have been reprinted and 

 circulated in the New World. We must likewise consider it as 

 an especial proof of the influence and importance of the Associa- 

 tion, that a Report on the Progress of American Geology has 

 been undertaken and executed by Professor Rogers of Phila- 

 delphia. Similar contributions from some other foreign coun- 

 tries have been promised, which will extend the utility of the 

 Association, by making us acquainted with the more character- 

 istic state of science in the various parts of Europe. Nor can 

 we fail, on the present occasion, to consider, as a most auspi- 

 cious promise of the future success of the Association, that the 

 distinguished Secretary of the Institute of France has not only 

 honoured this meeting by his presence, but has promised to in- 



