146 NATURAL SCIENCE. March, 



geographical value. What geographers wanted to know about Franz 

 Josef Land, was its extension to the north and to the east, and 

 whether Wilczek Land was a small island or the western edge of a 

 great land-area. This was the main problem that we hoped to see 

 solved by the expedition so generously equipped and supported by 

 Mr. Harmsworth. But the moment Nansen's map was flashed on 

 to the screen at the Albert Hall, it was clear that it was he who had 

 solved the problem, showing Wilczek Land to be a small island, and 

 tne Dove Glacier non-existent. This he has done as a parergon, in 

 the course of doing what most people consider a good deal more than 

 " only extending our knowledge a few degrees in one direction." To 

 place the revision of local topographical details and of their nomen- 

 clature by the side of this, surely is {pace Sir Clements Markham) 

 gross exaggeration. 



As for Mr. Brice's facile sneers at anonymous attacks, we may 

 point out that anonymity does not carry with it irresponsibility ; the 

 Editors of this Review accept the fullest responsibility for these 

 editorial Notes, and communications will always find them at the 

 address given on the wrapper and last page of each number. 



The Learned Society Bore. 



In the good old days when the various branches of natural history 

 were less specialised than now, and when everyone worthy of the name 

 of naturalist could take an intelligent interest in the whole subject, 

 the meetings of societies were a real and distinct incentive to progress. 

 Members could appeciate most of the discussions, and they returned 

 to their own special studies with suggestions from the results of 

 kindred lines of research. Now, however, the whole condition of 

 affairs has changed. Modern work in the various departments of 

 biology and geology is so highly technical and special, that it is safe 

 to say in most subjects not more than a score of investigators in the 

 whole world can appreciate every bearing of each new contribu- 

 tion. Catholic societies, like the Royal Society, and the similarly 

 named societies of Edinburgh and Dublin, the Literary and 

 Philosophical Societies of Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham, 

 and the Linnean Society of London, include among even their most 

 distinguished members many who have not the faintest idea of the 

 meaning and methods of the researches of many of their equally 

 eminent fellow-members. No mind can now cover the whole field 

 beyond the general elementary principles. 



Under these changed circumstances, there are those who ask 

 w^hether the meetings of such societies are any longer of value, beyond 

 the casual conversations in the tea-room and friendly consultations in 

 the library. Authors, indeed, are coming to care little for the 

 meetings that they bore, and regard the societies merely as publishers 

 less mean than most. When a specialist addresses an audience of 



