RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT 245 



the most important practical step being to summon 

 the organising committees of all the sections in joint 

 and simultaneous sessions, with the special purpose 

 of drawing up a list of major subjects of general 

 interest and importance, for discussion at joint meet- 

 ings of sections during the ensuing annual meeting. 

 These methods of preparation for the Edinburgh 

 meeting in 1921 ensured a programme which helped 

 to focus public attention upon scientific research as 

 a whole, as the founders of the Association intended 

 that it should be focussed. 



Once again we have adverted to the founders of 

 the Association. And it may be suggested that in 

 1921 the Association was in some sense back in the 

 position in which its founders first placed it. They, 

 indeed, had to construct the engine : we have it, 

 still in running order so far, the positions differ. 

 They applied its power to driving certain selected 

 mechanism : now, it has come to be inquired how 

 far that mechanism is still effective, and whether 

 in any directions the power might be otherwise ap- 

 plied with better effect. For example, the founders 

 of the Association, having established the prin- 

 ciple that annual meetings should be held, and that 

 the receipts by way of membership subscription 

 should be applied to the advancement of science, 

 undertook two chief measures to that end in addition 

 to the actual proceedings at the meetings : namely 

 publication and the financial assistance of research. 

 In each of these directions, circumstances have 

 materially modified the work of the Association. 



It was never to be expected that the Association 

 could attempt the publication of the whole of the 

 communications brought before it at an annual 



