To the President (the Rev. N. Watson, F.R.S.), the 

 Vice Presidents, the Council and Members of the Bir- 

 mingham Philosophical Society, I dedicate the following 

 small treatise, in appreciation of the fact, that although only 

 a young Society, they have certified in a substantial manner 

 the views persistently advocated by me respecting the 

 National importance of Scientific Investigation, and have 

 shown so intelligent an example of devotion to public 

 welfare by establishing a Fund for the Endowment of 

 original Scientific Research. 



GEORGE GORE. 



The Institute of Scientific Research, 

 Birmingham. 



