PROCEEDINGS FOR 1903 V 



It was ordered in former years that all papers should be sent in by 

 August 1st. The printing committee was thus in a position to see what 

 was before them and could apportion the amount of illustrations. It is 

 often Xovember or December before any idea can be formed as to the 

 approximate size of the volume, and sometin^es members' complain if 

 papers are not accepted in January. 



This, however, is not so serious as the fact that the delay in getting 

 out the volume prevents many good scientific papers from being sent in. 

 If a paper contains an original contribution to science, or any newly 

 observed fact, the delay in the issue of the volume imperils the claim of 

 priority which authors so highly value. Such papers are most desirable, 

 but they are frequently sent to the scientific magazines where earlier 

 publication can be had. If the separate parts could be got out more 

 quickly their distribution would secure priority, but one paper runs over 

 into a sheet with another and so a number of papers are locked up 

 together, and the slowest man to read his proofs sets the pace for the 

 whole series. 



There is little use in making new rules. The rules are sufficient if 

 they are only carried out, and the council urges upon the members the 

 necessity of sending in their papers to the secretaries of their respective 

 sections and of sending them in earlier. The resolution fixing August 

 1st as the latest date has not been carried out for many years, and the 

 council recommends that August 1st be confirmed as the limit of time for 

 receipt of copy for printing. They ask for the co-operation of every 

 I'ellow in this required reform, for it is vital to the usefulness of the 

 Transactions as a record of progress. The council will instruct the 

 honorary secretary to urge this upon the contributors to the new volume. 



3. Illustrations. 



The number of illustrations is constantly increasing, and must 

 continue to increase with the multiplication of processes for reproduc- 

 ing maps and drawings. But every illustration in a volume like the 

 society's transactions should be original or, if a reproduction of some- 

 thing previously published, it should possess some special quality such 

 as rarity to give it value. 



In preparing illustrations reference should also be had to the 

 requirements of the various processes employed. If a photograph or 

 drawing is sent in it should be clear and distinct or it cannot be satis- 

 factorily reproduced. The cost of redrawing subjects from insufficient 

 originals ought not to be thrown upon the society excepting in cases 

 of unusual importance. 



