1903 Editorials 283 



attempt to put the roof on before the foundations are well 

 laid. Produce first eight times as many students as are 

 produced at present, who demand the advantages of the 

 best universities, and the universities will soon be found 

 to follow. At the present moment we fear that it is the 

 fact that most students who proceed to a university are 

 but badly equipped to receive the teaching they there get. 

 Begin at the beginning, increase the demand for the best 

 scientific training, and the means will soon be forthcoming. 



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With regard to the lack of means for the promotion of 

 research, everyone will agree with Sir Norman Lockyer's 

 remarks. As he pointed out, this need is recognised by 

 others than scientists. It has been insisted upon by the 

 most eminent statesmen of the country, but apparently 

 they are not prepared to go the length of seeing it made a 

 matter of immediate attention at the hands of Parliament. 

 And so, as Mr. Balfour has said, " We, the richest country 

 in the world, lag behind Germany, France, Switzerland, 

 and Italy. Is it not disgraceful ? Are we too poor, or 

 are we too stupid ? " x 



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Coming to the various sections of the Association, we 

 have only space to refer to the most interesting presidential 

 address of Professor Sydney Hickson to the Zoology 

 Section (D), which dealt with many matters which are 

 much before biologists at present. Here, again, the neglect 

 of provision for more research was deplored, the President 

 pointing out that " neither in the older universities of 

 Oxford and Cambridge, nor in the colleges and national 

 institutions situated in London, nor in the newer univer- 

 sities and colleges of the provinces, have any new posts 

 been created, or adequately endowed, which enable the 

 holder to devote a reasonable amount of his time to the 

 pursuit of biological knowledge." 



On another point we find ourselves in most hearty 

 agreement with Professor Hickson. It is in the following 



1 JVci/un, 30U1 May 1 901. 



