1902. The Biilish Association in Belfast. 263 



up earutistly by local Societies at ouce. Dr Garsou concluded by impress- 

 ing^ ou delegates the great iuiportauce of research work, which at 

 present, he said, was very badly done. 



A discussion was then opened by Mr J. P. TochKR, delegate of the 

 Buchan Field Club, on " The desirability of a Pigmentation vSurvey of 

 vScliool Children in Ireland." He explained, in some considerable 

 detail, the aims and objects of the proposed survey, and gave an 

 account of the methods to be adopted, and also his experience in the 

 practical investigation in this direction which he had carried out in 

 various parts of Scotland. 



The next subject discussed was brought forward by Mr. C. H. Read, 

 of the Ethnographical Department of the British Museum, and was " A 

 plea for an Ordnance Map Index of Prehistoric Remains." The 

 desirability of commencing such a survey was pointed out; and reference 

 made to works of this character which had already been produced in a 

 few isolated localities. The chief difficulties appeared to consist (i) in 

 obtaining cash for a necessarily expensive work (publication, etc.), and 

 (2) in coming to an agreement as to the conventional signs to be 

 adopted to represent the various classes of prehistoric remains. It was 

 agreed that the above difficulties should not be considered as at all in- 

 surmountable. 



On the second occasion of the meeting, besides the delegates from the 

 various Corresponding Societies, there were present also representatives 

 (one for each Section) of the various Sections of the Association. These 

 came to confer with the delegates, and to explain how the various 

 Natural History Societies throughout the country could assist in some 

 of the researches being carried on by the Sections, by collecting 

 statistics, or forming local committees to carry out research work on 

 similar lines, but not necessarily of so intricate a character. Tlie.se 

 delegates from the Sections of the Association made valuable suggestions 

 as to the work which the various local Societies could carry out with 

 advantage to themselves and to science. The suggestions made, as will 

 be seen below, were very varied in character, but all were eminently 

 practical, and, so far as Irish Field Clubs are concerned, ought to 

 replace the list of subjects for which prizes are offered by several of our 

 Clubs and Societies. The work done at the Conference of Delegates will 

 be detailed later on before the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club, 

 by its representative, w^io happened to be the only delegate from Irish 

 Societies present at the meetings, though three Irish Societies were 

 on the list. In the meantime, it seems advisable to mention briefly the 

 numerous suggestions brought to the notice of the delegates by the 

 representatives of the various Sections and some others of those 

 present. 



Dr. Letts (Section 13) first drew attention to the remarks made by 

 Professor Dewar regarding the training of chemists, and hoped that 

 some of those present would obtain statistics showing what training 

 chemists employed 111 chemical or other manufactories in this country 

 had received to fit them for the posts which they now occupy. The 



