December 22, 192 1] 



NATURE 



551 



Society for the Advancement of Science and Art. A 

 number of interesting excursions to places of local 

 interest were arranged. 



A popular lecture, illustrated by lantern slides, was 

 given by Dr. k. L. du Toit, geologist to the Irrigation 

 Department, on " Land Connections between the other 

 Continents and South Africa in the Past." The lec- 

 ture dealt with the ancient continent of Gondwana- 

 land, its glaciation, the spread of animal and plant 

 life across it, its dismemberment, the development, 

 geographically and biologically of the several p>ortions, 

 their temporary reunion, and finally the evolution of 

 the present continental masses. 



The South Africa medal and grant were presented 

 to Sir F. Spencer Lister, bacteriologist to the South 

 African Institute for Medical Research, Johannesburg, 

 in recognition of his work on the differentiation of the 

 pneumococci of lobar pneumonia into many immuno- 

 logically distinct groups, and the successful applica- 

 tion of the discover}- to the artificial production of 

 immunity against pneumonia in man. 



The presidential address by Prof. Duerden was on 

 '■ Social Anthropology in South Africa : Problems of 

 Race and Nationality." A sketch of the rise of social 

 anthropology was given, and the view was main- 

 tained that anthropological studies should contribute 

 to the upbuilding of the State by offering a scientific 

 understanding of the peoples withjn it. Such was 

 very necessary in South Africa, with its very diverse 

 stages of social evolution and its many distinct races 

 and nationalities which should live together in harmony 

 and build up a South African nation. The alleged 

 aversion between white and black was discussed, and 

 was shown to manifest itself only on an assumption 

 of equality, the difference in the degree of civilisation 

 being too great to be bridged. The Bantu is 

 highly assimilative, but neither originative nor 

 constructive, and hence is dependent on the Euro- 

 pean for his advancement. The fusion of racial 

 groups in South Africa was discussed, and the opinion 

 given that there would be no fusion, though the mem- 

 bers would intermingle in ordinar}- avocations. 

 Solidarity of race may be superseded by national bonds 

 and loyalty under just and humane treatment. The 

 retention of national aspirations of British and Dutch 

 are not incompatible with a South .African national 

 solidarity. It was held that a new unifying South 

 African nationalism was dawning, and that the future 

 elationships of the European to the lower races must 

 3e that of a benevolent aristocracy of ability. 



The presidential address to Section \, bv Dr. J. 

 Lunt, of the Royal Observator\-, Cape Town, dealt 

 ivith " Stellar Distances, Magnitudes, and Move- 

 nents." The speaker reviewed briefly the develop- 

 nent of astronomy, the oldest science, and discussed 

 various spectrographic methods, especially in relation 

 o the determination of the distances, sizes, and move- 

 nents of stars. The work in astronomy in the L'nited 

 tates was described at some length, and comparison 



ide with the conditions prevailing in South Africa. 



Phe new universities of South Africa should play a 

 >art in the development of astronomical and astro- 

 ihysical research here, where the study of the skies of 

 he southern hemisphere was an essential complement 

 o the work in the northern observatories. The 

 ddress concluded with a vigorous appeal for the train- 

 ng of workers, for adequate equipment, and for a 

 etter appreciation of, and reverence for, the wonderful 

 niverse of which man forms so small a part. 



Dr. J. Moir, in his presidential address to Section B, 

 ealt with "The Atomic Theon,' of 1921." He showed 

 he tremendous strides that had been made in the 

 onception of atoms and molecules in the last twenty 

 ears. Two primitive materials, hydrion and electron, 

 NO. 2721, VOL. 108] 



with two intermediate building substances, H, and 

 Hj, as well as helium, are considered to be the basis 

 of all elements. The constitution of a number of 

 elements was explained and illustrated in detail, 

 numerous examples being given. Many cases were 

 cited in which physical means during the world's 

 evolution may have acted on different substances ; 

 for example, strontium sulphate, yttrium phosphate, 

 and zirconium silicate, which now have similar elec- 

 tron and ion constitutions, are three ver\- different 

 substances which may really be cne, changed by 

 external forces. 



Prof. J. W. Bews took as his subject, " Some 

 .Aspects of Botany in South Africa and Plant Ecology 

 in Natal," in his presidential address to Section C. 

 The speaker sketched briefly the effect of environment 

 on progress in botany. The histor\' of botany widened 

 the perspective, and it was interesting to note the 

 progress of the science as transplanted into South 

 Africa. The only indigenous botany was that of the 

 natives, who possessed a wonderful knowledge of 

 plants and their properties. Passing to botany in 

 Natal, the speaker paid tribute to a number of pioneer 

 workers, and proceeded to discuss the ecology of 

 Natal more particularly. The coast belt, the mid- 

 lands, and the Drakensberg or mountain region, were 

 described, with their characteristic vegetations. The 

 plant communities of Natal were discussed in some 

 detail, as were plant migrations and the affinities of 

 the Natal flora. 



The presidential address to Section D was delivered 

 by Prof. H. B. Fantham, on " Some Recent Advances 

 in Zoology and their Relation to Present-day 

 Problems." At the outset the field of pure science 

 was discussed. Such must never be ignored, for the 

 academic of to-day may be of the greatest technical 

 benefit hereafter. Early specialisation for purely 

 economic ends was to be deplored, for the specialist 

 needed a breadth of outlook, an orientation in the 

 whole field of his science, in order to have balance 

 and perspective. The work done by protozoologists, 

 helminthologists, and entomologists in the great war 

 was referred to, and fields of work in South Africa 

 indicated. Recent researches on ductless glands of 

 animals were cited, and fisheries developments were 

 noted. Many interesting results in connection with 

 work on chromosomes and their relation with sex 

 were quoted. Newer work in connection with the 

 processes of evolution, especially in regard to heredity 

 and acquired characters, was brought under review. 

 The need for the application of biological principles in 

 modern problems, including politics, was insisted 

 upon. Heredity, environment, and response to stimu- 

 lation needed concurrent attention. The higher stan- 

 dard of living for workers demanded more than mere 

 amusement and indulgence in luxuries and excite- 

 ment. Idealism was essential, and it was shown that 

 religion and science were not necessarily in conflict. 

 The speaker concluded with a plea for the inculcation 

 of the spirit of biology in all education. With a wide- 

 spread knowledge of history, biology, and sociology", 

 man should improve his environment and attain co- 

 operation, peace, and higher ideals. 



Section E met under the presidency of Dr. C. T. 

 Loram, who discussed "The Native iProblem." Th*' 

 adjustment of white and black was difficult in South 

 Africa, and a successful adjustment was held to be 

 impossible without sacrifices on both sides. The 

 chaotic political situation with regard to natives in 

 the different provinces of South Africa was described. 

 Legal procedures and jur\' systems were also men- 

 tioned, and it was a question whether the Roman- 

 Dutch law of Europeans were best for the native on 

 account of the differences between the two civilisations 



