FOR COUNTY LOCAL SOCIETIES, 189 



directed by the local committees, would certainly be of direct 

 educational value to all taking part in it ; and the reports, when 

 issued, would be admirable object-lessons, serving to show how 

 much of interest our own counties possess. And now that the 

 importance of museums in education is recognised by scores of 

 thoughtful writers and speakers, would not the sets of specimens,, 

 accurately named, localised and described, be of real use to 

 students and investigators ? Of the scientific importance of the 

 results from the work advocated it is unnecessary to speak before 

 this Committee. And we must not forget that there is a strong 

 feeling of local patriotism, which appeals to all. 



Of the legal aspect of the question I am not qualified to 

 speak ; the problem might be submitted in the first instance to 

 the Board of Education. Should it be found that the present 

 law would not permit of such allocation of funds, it might not 

 be difficult to induce the Government to introduce a two-line 

 clause into some " omnibus " Educational Bill (there are sure to^ 

 be a few in the near future) permitting the county councils to act 

 as indicated above. 



It is suggested, if the proposals meet with the approval of 

 the Scientific Societies Committee, that a small sub-committee 

 be appointed, to meet in London and consider the steps that may 

 be necessary to bring the matter before the public and the 

 authorities. Perhaps the British Association itself would aid in 

 bringing the matter prominently before those in authority and 

 the public generally, and it might not be difficult to enlist the 

 sympathies and co-operation of a few Members of Parliament 

 favourable to scientific education, supposing any parliamentary 

 action is necessary. 



I should like to see some active, practical steps taken ; in my 

 opinion, the local Scientific Societies Committee could not confer 

 a greater benefit on the Societies, nor aid more the progress and 

 study of natural science and archaeology in the counties by the 

 numerous amateurs now existing, than in promoting some such 

 scheme as that I have advocated. 



[This little paper is printed as originally written, but in reply 

 to some recent criticisms I may say that in putting archaeological 

 investigation in front of the list of suggested subjects I was 

 simply following recommendations that had been made by some 

 distinguished men at former meetings of the British Association 



