THIRD ORDINARY MEETING. Bi7/ 
greater part of the work which the Royal Society originally under- 
took, while that body reserves to itself the consideration of questions 
involving the general principles of science and leaves matters of de- 
tail to the special societies for the cultivation of the different branches 
of science. Yet, in the Royal Society itself, the principle of division 
of labour is by no means neglected. As early as 1664 eight com- 
mittees were formed for the purpose of promoting the propagation of 
natural knowledge in different directions. With some few modifica- 
tions these committees still exist and form part of the machinery of 
the Society. These committees comprise :— 
Mathematics, Astronomy, Physics and Meteorology, Chemistry, 
Mineralogy and Geology, Botany and Zoology. 
Each of these committees has its own chairman and secretary. The 
Royal Society of Canada, a body fashioned to some extent on the 
lines of the Royal Society of London, although in other respects it 
rather follows the model of the French Academy, is divided into sec- 
tions with special officers, each charged with the care of certain allied 
subjects. The British Association is similarly divided into sections 
as follows :— 
A,—Mathematical and Physical Science. 
.—Chemical Science. 
C'.— Geology. 
D.—Biology. 
E.—Geography. 
F’.—Kconomic Science. 
G.—Mechanical Science. 
The American Association has a similar division as follows :— 
A,—Mathematics and Astronomy. 
L.—Physics. 
C.—Chemistry. 
D.—Mechanical Science. 
£.—Geology and Geography. 
F,.— Biology. 
G.—Histology and Microscopy. 
H.— Anthropology. 
J, —Economic Science and Statistics. 
Now, it seems to me that some such divisions might with great 
advantage be introduced into the Canadian Institute, and I would 
venture to suggest for your consideration the outlines of such a 
