1 68 



KNOWLEDGE & SCIENTIFIC NEWS. 



[July, 1905. 



of the sciences. Each has its own president for the 

 time being, and the " Transactions " of these Sections, 

 tr^ether with the '' Reports on the State of Science " 

 and Presidential addresses constitute the contents of the 

 invaluable scries of vohimes which have been issued 

 without break since the year 1833, the first date of 

 publication. 



.'\s at present constituted the Sections comprise the 

 following divisions: — .\, Mathematical and Physical 

 Science; B, Chemistry; C, Geology; 1), Zoology; K, 

 Geography; F, Economic Science and Statistics; G. 

 Engineering; H, Anthropology; I, Physiology; K, 

 I?otany; L, Educational Science. The employment of 

 alphabetical letters to distinguish the Sections was 

 introduced in 1835. 



The discussions on scientific questions which annually 

 take place in the Sectional Committees were regarded 

 from the first as calculated to fo.ster and strengthen the 

 spirit in which the .Association was conceived, as well 

 as exemplifying its principles. But the enormous ex- 

 tension in the boundaries of science which the past fifty 

 years has witnessed has naturally brought in its wake 

 an enlarged platform for the stream of criticism and 

 comment. This development has, indeed, suggested to 

 .some of the veteran habitues of the meetings that there 

 is now, perhaps, an over-expression of opinion, and they 

 recall with lingering regret the notable a.ssemblages of 

 a brilliant, if small, band of scientific expositors, whose 

 personality was the focus of the gatherings; their 

 flights into the whirlpools and rapids of argument 01 

 conjecture, a keen and satisfving experience. But 

 without "talk" the modern Congress would die of 

 inanition; it is, in short, a safety-valve that had best 

 be left untouched. 



Since 1867 an interesting and popular feature of the 

 meetings has been the delivery of a lecture on some 

 particular scientific subject, designed especially for an 

 audience of working-men. The first of the series was 

 given by John Tyndall, on " Matter and Force," and 

 at last year's Cambridge gathering there was a discourse 

 on " The Form of Mountains." 



In 1884 a "Corresponding Societies Committee" was 

 instituted with the view of encouraging the affiliation 

 of local Scientific Societies in order that they might be 

 formdiy in correspondence with the Association, and 

 thus assist in promoting its objects. At present 72 

 local bodies constitute Corresponding Societies, but it 

 is hoped that this relatively small number will steadily 

 increase. 



No outline of prioress should, however, omit to 

 mention the money grants which the Association has 

 bestowed from its necessarily limited funds in further- 

 ance of scientific purposes. The grand total of such 

 sums allotted since the year 1834 amounts to no less 

 than ;{5'68,300. 



Our survey, brief though it is, will, perhaps, serve 

 to indicate the plan and general scope of the organisa- 

 tion, as well as the fruitfulness of its career. 



It stands to-day, as in the past, moved by no adver- 

 tisements or trumpeting fanfares, or idea of self-aggran- 

 disement, es.senfially a silent force working with definite 

 aims and understanding for the advancement of the 

 several branches of .scientific thought and knowledge 

 Actuated thus, the Association transplants its standard 

 to .South Africa, a step bold and far-seeing enf)Ugli 

 to command a common approval, as also it enlists 

 our brightest hopes for a successful and prosperous 

 gathering. 



In Jf.iiiIKf F.ir.l 



5IR W. J. L. WHARTON, K.C.B., F.R.S. 



RFAit-AnMiiuL Bill Jamks Li.oyd WiiAnTON, till lately Ilydrogrftplicv of the 

 ry, is President of Section E, Geogrfipliy. He lm.s had charge of Surveys in 

 parts of the world. Author of a work on " Hydrographical Surveying." 

 In lfl7-l he took part in ohscrvations on the Transit of Venus. 



REV. W. CUNNINQHAM.vD.D. 



Tnp. llr.v. Dn. CtJKHiKonAM i« President of Section F, Economic Science 

 and Statistics. Fellow of Trinity College, and r<ady Margaret Preacher. 

 Sometime Lecturer in Economic Hi«tory, Harvard University. Author o( 

 " Orowih of Englisli Industry and Commerce in Modern Times," 1901 (3rd cd.l : 

 "TliB Use and Ahusc of Money'; " Gospel of Work"; "Ancient Times " 

 "The Path towards Knowledge.' 



