228 The hish Naluyalist. November, 



Section E- — Geography. 



■ The Geographical Section met in the Lecture Theatre of 

 the Royal Dublin vSociety — an ideal place for its meetings, 

 both as regards accommodation and lantern facilities. The 

 President (Major K- H. Hills, C.M.G., R.E.), chose as his 

 subject the present and future work of the Geographer, 

 especially with regard to the British Empire. It is interest- 

 ing to note that, speaking of survey work, he made a strong 

 appeal for a new primary survey of the British Isles, pointing 

 out that among modern national survej'S it was recognised as 

 one of the least accurate, the average error in triangulation 

 being far in excess of that which is to be looked for in good 

 modern work. During the meeting the Section had before it 

 papers dealing with almost every part of the world, and every 

 aspect of geography fiom survey instruments and school 

 geograph}^ to AIediterrane;4n man and Peruvian forests. Of 

 three papers dealing with Irish subjects; only one was read 

 by an Irishman — Rev. W. Spotswood Green ; the others being 

 contributed by Dr. C. A. Hill and Mr. Harold Brodrick, two 

 of a band of explorers who have been working energetically 

 at British caves and pot-holes for some 3^ears past. 



Sub-section F. — Agricui^ture. 



The votaries of Agriculture met as a Sub-Section of F 

 (Economics), being located in the Royal College of Science, 

 and with a chairman, vice-chairmen, and secretaries formed 

 in all essentials a distinct Section. Sir Horace Plunkett 

 presided over the meetings, and in a brilliant address dealing 

 with agricultural co-operation and the policy of small hold- 

 ings, especially as affecting Ireland, drew attention to the 

 need for a general revival in rural life and the part that 

 scientific instruction might be expected to take in bringing 

 the people " back to the land." 



In the proceedings of the SubSection, economic and biolo- 

 gical subjects, were pleasantly mingled. The biologists 

 enjoyed a field day on Friday^ September 4tli, when Prof. W. 

 Bateson, F.R.S., opened a discussion on " Breeding and 

 Modern Theories of Heredity," giving a brilliant and lucid 

 account of the Mendelian principles. R. Punnet and Prof. J. 



