12 



the present at all events, and pending tlie experiment of 

 the Government Fund, will be to confine our efforts 

 to a careful selection of definite persons to carry out 

 definite pieces of work; leaving to them the honour 

 (or the onus if they so think it) of justifying from time 

 to time a continuation of the confidence which the 

 Government or other supporting body may have once 

 placed in them. 

 Continuance Passing from the proceedings to other features and 

 of Bntish functions of our body, it should be remembered 



Association. •^ 



that the continued existence of the Association must 

 depend largely upon the support which it receives from 

 its members and associates. Stinted in the funds so 

 arising, its scientific effectiveness would be materially 

 impaired ; and deprived of them, its existence would be 

 precarious. The amount at our disposal in each year 

 will naturally vary with the population, with the accessi- 

 bility, and with other circumstances of the place of 

 meeting ; there will be financially, as well as scienti- 

 fically, good years and bad years. But we have in our 

 invested capital a sum sufficient to tide over all probable 

 fluctuations, and even to carry us efficiently through 

 several years of financial famine, if ever such should 

 occur. This seems to me sufficient ; and we have there- 

 fore, I think, no need to increase our reserve, beyond 

 perhaps the moderate addition which a prudent treasurer 

 will always try to secure, against expenditure which 

 often increases and rarely diminishes. 



But however important this material support may be 

 to our existence and well being, it is by no means all 

 that is required. There is another factor which enters 

 into the product, namely, the personal scientific support 

 of our best men. It is, I think, not too much to say, that 

 without their presence our meetings would fail in their 



