84 ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. 



''This definition, with an unimportant verbal change, 

 "was retained until 1907. On 23i'd December, 1907, new 

 "rules were made, by whicli it was declared that 



"The objects of the Society are the prosecution of 

 "the study of Science in its various branches, and more 

 "especially the development of a knowledge of the 

 "physical character and natural history of Tasmania 

 "and the neighbouring States." 



"This rule was re-enacted in the rules made on '22n<i 

 "May, 1911, which are still in force. 



"2. The present definition is open to criticism on several 

 "grounds : — 



"(a) It is doubtful if it includes History; but History 

 "is one of the subjects for which, by Rule 51, a Section 

 "may be established ; and for many years the Society 

 "has published historical papei-s. 



"(b) It is doubtful whether 'Science,' in its ordinary 

 "meaning in such a context, includes 'Education,' which 

 "is another of the subjects for which a Section may be 

 "established. 



"(c) The Society for many years has welcomed papei-s 

 "on subjects of Political and Social Science. It is doubts 

 "ful again if these subjects arc within the objects, 



"(d) The definition contains a phrase of doubtful 



"meaning — 'phvsical character.' In the early days of 



"the Society this phrase seems to have included 'Natu- 



" 'ral History' ; it is doubtful what it means now, and 



"its former prominence in the definition has led to some 



"misconception of the Society's work. 



"3. It is desirable in the interests of the Society that 



"papers and meeting.s devoted to History, Education, Poli- 



"tical Science, and the like, should be encouraged. Tech- 



"nical papers on Natural History subjects, such as descrip- 



"tions of species, repel many of our membei-s, and the 



"erroneous belief that the Society gives predominance to 



' such papers deters many from joining. Apart from this 



"financial consideration, many members consider that the 



"Societv should lose no opportunity to be of immediate 



"use to the community, and this is more likely to bo 



"achieved if the scope of its work is made as extensive as 



"the attainments of its members justify. 



"4. The terms 'natural science, social science, and hi.s- 

 " 'tory' are adequate and appropriate to describe the papers 

 "and discussions in the Society, and its predecessor, the 

 "Tasmanian Societv. almost from their foundation. It- 



