i896. ORGANISATION OF LOCAL SCIENCE. 269 



1. Forward surplus Natural History specimens to their Society's 

 Museum. 



2. Supply prompt information on the following subjects : — 



{a) New geological sections. 



{b) Details of wells, borings, springs, etc. 



{c) Finds of geological and antiquarian interest. 



3. Answer such questions as the British Association or the local 

 society may require. 



4. Keep an eye on historic buildings. 



5. Assist the Selborne Society in carrying out its objects. 



No mean occupation — certainly a useful, attractive, and 

 honourable post — worthy of any man's acceptance. 

 In return he should be offered — 



1. Assistance in naming specimens, and with the formation of 

 school museums. 



2. Free admission to lectures and excursions. 



3. Copies of transactions. 



4. Free use of the societies' library. 



Every village would soon, under this scheme, possess an agent, 

 registrar, or whatever you like to call him, who would be more and 

 more able, as he gained experience, to further the aims of this 

 association. 



Expenses or Ways and Means. — This cannot be ignored, but would 

 not form a sufficient barrier to prevent the adoption of the scheme. 



The unions would be self-supporting, by means of small con- 

 tributions from the affiliated societies. Money is only wanting for the 

 expenses of an organising secretary. I don't attempt to estimate the 

 cost of this, but with objects so desirable and far-reaching in view, 

 the money cannot be considered ill-spent, and the British Association 

 would soon be repaid by obtaining prompt and direct communication 

 with all the towns and villages in Great Britain, by greater assistance 

 in its research work, and in all other branches which the British 

 Association was established sixty-five years ago to promote. 



Tunbridge Wells, George Abbott. 



September, i8g6. 



