SESSION 1897-98. xix 



The answers vcceived from Societies which ah'cady behjup; to 

 a Union, or are in close touch with one, call for no remark. The 

 two Societies prevented by circumstances from joining Unions are 

 the Cambridge Philosophical Society and the Marlborough College 

 Natural History Society. In the replies from the four Societies 

 classed as "undecided," perhaps the most significant remark is 

 that economy of energy might be d(>arly purchased by loss of 

 enthusiasm, "a deadening uniformity" resulting from union. 

 Of the nine Societies generally favourable to Unions, two only, the 

 Hertfordshire jS'atural History Society and the Leicester Literary 

 and Philosophical Society, sent definite, detailed plans of what 

 they proposed to accomplish in their own localities. And a third, 

 the Essex Field Club, stated that it was in communication with 

 the Norfolk and Norwich Natural History Society with the view 

 of establishing some degree of co-operation between the two 

 Societies in the futiu'e. The others contented themselves with the 

 renuirk that union was a step in the right direction, or with some 

 other phrase expressing vague approval. 



The replies received from the Societies classed as " unfavourable 

 in their own cases " vary very much as to their approval of 

 federation in the abstract. All these Societies are Corresponiling 

 Societies, and have counties or other large areas as their spheres 

 of work. 



Judging from the answers received, it would appear that 

 Societies having a whole county or some district of similar size as 

 their sphere of operations are usually indifferent, or averse, 

 to union with adjacent counties or districts. Members of such 

 Societies do not generally feel a strong local interest in larger 

 areas, and at the same time they do not need the help of other 

 Societies in the publication of their Transactions. On the other 

 hand, experience shows that a large number of the smaller local 

 Societies are associations rather for lectures and excursions than for 

 local scientific work, and the brief annual reports which they issue 

 are of little interest, except to their own members. Consequently 

 they also are uninterested in questions about federation. 



Two Societies, which once belonged to the Midland Union, 

 express a preference for Unions like the Yorkshire Naturalists' 

 Union. The great advantage possessed by that federation lies, 

 however, in the fact that all its members, though they may live 

 as far apart as any members of the Midland Union once did, have 

 the common feeling of being Yorkshiremen. 



Some disappointment may be felt at the slightness of the interest 

 manifested in federation. But it may be hoped that many Societies 

 which are more or less averse to any close federation with 

 neighbouring Associations have, nevertheless, had their thoughts 

 profitably directed towards the attainment of a much greater 

 amount of mutual co-operation and assistance than at present 

 prevails. 



The Chairman said that there were great differences of opinion 

 with regard to federation, but he thought that much good might 



