ON THE PRACTICABILITY OF ESTABLISHING '^A CLOSE TIME." 13 



Report of the Committee on the Chemical Nature of Cast Iron. The 

 Committee consists o/F. A. Abel, F.R.S., D. Forbes, F.R.S., and 

 A. Matthiessen, F.R.S. 



"We regret to have to report that it has not heen in our power during the 

 past year to make any important progress in the investigation of the chemical 

 nature of cast iron, which was intrusted to us. 



In the Appendix to the Report which we submitted last year, a process 

 was described by which pure iron could be prepared in considerable quan- 

 tities ; and it was intended to apply this process at once to the preparation of 

 the material necessary for our investigations. The apparatus and arrange- 

 ments required for this purpose, however, have been unavoidably in a dis- 

 mantled condition during the greater jiart of the year, in consequence of the 

 reconstruction of the Laboratories of St. Bartholomew's Hospital. They are 

 now again in working order, and it is hoped that the experiments will be 

 resumed without much further delay. 



Numerous experiments have been made with a view to ascertain whether 

 the piire-iron sponge, prepared by the process above referred to, can be con- 

 verted, by welding, into thoroughly solid masses without detriment to the 

 purity of the metal. Hitherto the results obtained (though instructive in 

 connexion with the physical properties of the pure metal) have not been of 

 a promising nature in the particular direction desired. It is contemplated, 

 however, to continue these experiments with the aid of facilities which, we 

 believe, will be available for this purpose at the Eoyal Arsenal, Woolwich. 



For the foregoing reasons we beg leave to suggest that the reappointment 

 of this Committee be recommended ; but we do not consider it necessary to 

 apply for a grant of money on this occasion. 



Report on the practicability of establishing "A Close Time " for the 



protection of indigenous Animals, By a Committee, consisting of 



Prof. Newton, M.A., F.L.S., Rev. H. B. Tristram, F.R.S., J. E. 



Harting, F.L.S., F.Z.S., Rev. H. Barnes, and H. E. Dresser 



(Reporter). 



The Committee appointed for the purpose of continuing investigations as to 

 the advisability of establishing a close time for the preservation of our indi- 

 genous animals beg leave to report as foUows : — Having regard to the state 

 of business during the late session of Parliament, your Committee have not 

 thought it expedient to press the object your Committee are directed to 

 obtain on the attention of Members of the Legislature, or the general public. 

 Your Committee have learnt with satisfaction that, in several cases where 

 the provisions of the Sea-birds' Preservation Act have been enforced, very 

 beneficial results have followed, instances of which are added in the appendix. 

 In consequence hereof, your Committee see good reason to hope that an 

 extension of similar protection to other groups of indigenous animals will 

 be attended by similar happy results ; and your Committee consider that 

 such extension could not be better commenced than with the group of 

 bu'ds commonly known as " wild foivl," comprising as that does, very mam 



