24 PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



supporting. At the meeting of the delegates of Corresponding 

 Societies of the British Association, to which we send a 

 representative, the subject of Museums was dealt with, the 

 careful preservation of objects therein being rightly considered 

 of the first importance, and after that the educational, which 

 is I think more cultivated in our Dorset Museum under our 

 present Curator than formerly, and helps much to foster a 

 general feeling of the importance of science amongst the 

 community. Much stress is laid on the educational side of 

 Museums in America. The question of sending objects of 

 national interest to the national museum was discuseed, and 

 this point has lately been brought forward in regard to some 

 of our own treasures. There is much to be said in favour 

 of this plan as regards safety (except from Zeppelins in war- 

 time) and convenience for comparative study, but specimens 

 that will bring scientific men down to a local museum are not 

 to be ligthly given up by those who benefit by their visits. 

 Another subject was that of colour standards, it being con- 

 sidered that a scheme of 200 well named colours would best 

 meet the case. It would be desirable in preparing such a 

 series of colours to use only those, as far as possible, which do 

 not alter their relative shades when viewed by artificial light. 

 The war has put a temporary stop to many things, and 

 especially to many large schemes unconnected with it, but the 

 foundation stone has been laid of a new Hindu University in 

 our dominions beyond the seas, at Benares, for which purpose 

 the people of India have raised a sum equal to nearly two- 

 thirds of a million pounds sterling. Men, as well as plants 

 and animals when removed from their native country and 

 transplanted to a new one, seem to acquire a great access of 

 vitality, and flourish to an unheard of extent, and I cannot 

 conclude my address without referring to the Australian 

 contingent whose chief English Camp is just opposite to my 

 house, and with whom I have had the privilege of much 

 intercourse for many months. Without dwelling upon their 

 physical advantages, I have been much struck by the high 

 quality of general intelligence and knowledge which prevails 



