BY J. W. SUTTON. IX. 



Workers, in all branches of science, labour under great 

 disadvantages when they are located at great distances from 

 the centres of sciyntific research and thought, and out of reach 

 of seeing experiments and hearing discussions of the various 

 learned societies, or of even getting access to what has been 

 published in the various journals. Scientific books on all 

 subjects of course reach us in due time, but books in these times 

 are out of date almost as soon as they leave the publishers' 

 hands, therefore, for one to be up to date in the march of 

 progress, it is absolutely necessary to have access to all scientific 

 publications which are published, both in our own and all 

 foreign languages. No doubt the question will at once suggest 

 itself to you, why does not this society supply that want ? The 

 answer is, we have not sufficient funds ; and unfortunately our 

 Society does not include in its membership workers in all 

 branches. Therefore I think this is a matter well worth the 

 consideration of those entrusted with the management of our 

 Public Library, and let us hope that therein will be found all 

 monthly publications of scientific interest, both of pure and 

 applied science, no matter in what language they appear. A 

 long felt want has lately been put forth, under the joint direction 

 of the Physical Society and the Institution of Electrical 

 Engineers of London, in the form of science abstracts, the 

 abstractors being men of well known scientific ability. It 

 contains short extracts from all recognised scientific journals and 

 publications, with a concise reference and index, which at once 

 points out to the reader where he can see the full detailed 

 article or paper. But as I have already inferred, they are at 

 present entirely beyond our reach. Of course, there are societies 

 here, devoted to special subjects, that no doubt are able to place 

 before their members up to date literature in their own particular 

 branch, but this, for the Royal Society, embracing as it does all 

 sciences, is simply out of the question. In fact there are too 

 many societies for such a small community as Brisbane, 

 and I think much better and more work would result if a number 

 of these would throw in their lot with us and work with one 

 common end — the general advancement of science. Each could 

 have its own section, its special meetings if necessary, also, as 

 now, its own president and secretary. Such an arrangement would 

 go a long way towards securing a good financial position, better 

 attendance at meetings, and above all, tend to bring about a 



