414 Co-operation amongst Local Scientific Societies. [Sess. 



halfpenny-worth of bread to an intolerable quantity " of printed 

 matter. Fortunately the proposal was considered impracticable. 



Some one remarked that local societies, especially Field Clubs, 

 admitted too many antiquarians, and some scathing things were 

 said about excursions being social meetings and little else. 



During the Conferences held since the Southport meeting, 

 some good ideas were thrown out regarding the work of local 

 scientific societies. I shall mention a few. One chairman 

 of the Conferences said that the work of scientific societies 

 may be classified (as we all know) either as educational or as 

 technical ; and he added, " I confess that, at the present time, 

 I regard the educational as the more important branch." This 

 is most striking, following upon the long and persistent efforts 

 after original research. 



Local societies were recommended to " make exploration 

 and registration part of their systematic work, and to enter 

 upon the 6 -inch Ordnance maps of their districts any natural 

 features and archeeological remains which are not indicated 

 thereon." This hardly applies to us in Edinburgh, which is 

 the home of the Geological Survey, of a vigorous Antiquarian 

 Society, and other professional scientific institutions. It was 

 suggested that county councils should be asked to allocate 

 annually small sums for carrying out the work of local ex- 

 ploration and registration, — but no action was taken. 



Suggestions as to subjects suitable for discussion at future 

 conferences were asked. The best methods of utilising local 

 museums in connection with education are to be considered. 

 Some subjects suggested for local societies were, — 



Cave faunas, or well faunas. 



Zoological changes in a given plot of land. 



Compilation of local faunas. 



Systematic observation of the micro-organisms in a given 

 pond or ditch. 



Collection of slugs from all parts of the British Isles. (For 

 information apply to W. Denison Eoebuck, Hyde Park Eoad, 

 Leeds.) 



Some matters connected with orchids and potamogetons 

 were asked to be investigated. 



Photographic records of plants. 



Photographs of anthropological interest. 



