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history of the place; (2) The Erosion of the Sea-Coasts in the 

 past, which raises up the interesting question of the submerged 

 forests, of which the Rev. J. S. Craig is shortly to speak ; and 

 (3) The Erosive Processes still going on. Nor do we sacrifice our 

 freedom of action by so doing, for in carrying out these suggestions 

 we may be conferring a national benefit in addition to the indi- 

 vidual one, so that we shall be "twice blessed." 



As I have already shown, the Union is theoretically sound, but 

 practically it is defective. The various societies are too much on 

 the footing of isolated societies, and hence the benefits of member- 

 ship are reduced to a minimum. What we want is, that the 

 societies shall more thoroughly feel that they are the incorporated 

 elements of one whole. 



But the question is, How is this co-operation to be promoted ? 

 It may be done very simply, and at the same time efifectually. As 

 it is, Local Secretaries have frequently much trouble in completing 

 their programme, the last name or two often causing great anxiety, 

 and not a little expenditure of time and patience. The cure for 

 this state of things is in the word "centralisation." Local Secre- 

 taries may be able to prevail upon members to read a paper that 

 has been prepared for the local society, before a neighbouring 

 society ; and it would be quite within their province to do so. 

 Even though they should be unsuccessful in getting a promise, 

 still the members are reminded that they are not merely members 

 of a local association, but of a more widely spread association. 

 If successful, however, they would then forward the name of the 

 lecturer ; the subject of the paper ; and the most suitable time for 

 its delivery, to the General Association Secretary. The Council and 

 the General Secretary might add to this list. Then, when a society 

 is in want of one or more lecturers, instead of hunting through 

 the length and breadth of the two counties for suitable persons, 

 all the Secretary need do, would be to communicate his wishes to 

 the General Association Secretary, who could at once recommend 

 lecturers. Such a method would greatly widen the range of choice 

 both as regards lectures and lecturers, and so lessen the probabilities 



