144 REPORT—1868. 
zones of vegetation encircling the slopes. The lower one consists of an enormous 
assemblage of tropical plants, including dense groves of cocoa-nut palm, which 
form the wealth of the islanders, £20,000 worth of the oil having been exported in 
1866. Manihot, rice, cinnamon, banana, the bread-fruit tree, and pine-apple are 
cultivated in the lower zone. The birds of the Seychelles have been recently 
collected by Mr. Edward Newton, and found to offer several peculiar species. 
Magnificent displays of phosphorescent light are observed at times by night in the 
sea off the harbour of Victoria. On one occasion, when the author was out in a 
boat at night, two white clouds of light were seen coming along the surface of the 
water ; the boatmen were alarmed at the extraordinary appearance, but on dashing 
into the midst the clouds broke up into a number of large white sheets of light : t 
phenomenon was caused by a species of mullet of gregarious habits; countless 
thousands were seen, each fish gleaming with phosphorescence on its scales. 
ECONOMIC SCIENCE AND STATISTICS. 
Address by Samvnt Brown, F.S.S., President of the Institute of Actuaries, 
President of the Section. 
In the able and eloquent addresses which have been given in preceding years at 
the opening of this Section, the nature and objects of the divisions of science in 
which we are more especially concerned have been so clearly pointed out, that I 
do not propose to occupy your time with definitions and reflections, but rather to 
take a hasty view of the principal questions which, since our last Meeting, have 
come prominently before the public, and which are likely more especially to in- 
terest the students of our science. 
Whether under the head of Economic Science or Statistics, the range of subjects 
is so wide, the interest so intense, and their importance to the public so vast, that 
it is almost as difficult to select, as it would be to confine within proper limits the 
full history of the past year. Thought is so busy, and civilization (if we may use 
the term generally to indicate an improvement in the social condition of nations) 
advancing with such rapidity, that new subjects are continually thrusting them- 
selves into notice and discussion by the different classes whom they most affect. 
It is essential, however, to make choice of a few leading features, and one topic 
which has during the past year, and is now exciting a very lively interest, is that 
of technical education. 
Technical Education.—A very strong impulse has been given to the discussion 
of this question by the various comparisons of the world’s industry, which, ever 
since the Great Exhibition of 1851, the success of which was so much owing to 
the far-seeing intellect and earnest purpose of the lamented Prince Consort, have 
enabled all nations to measure their respective progress in science and art, by the 
actual results of their manufactures and industries in every branch. Many persons 
have expressed alarm lest other nations which have discovered their deficiencies, and 
have set to work with energy and determination to remove them, should leave this 
country behind in their applications of knowledge, by introducing and maintaining 
a more practical, if not a higher standard of general education amongst the people. 
Without going too far back to the frequent discussions to which this subject has 
given rise, it will be sufficient to refer to the Report of the Committee appointed 
by this Association to consider the best means for promoting scientific education 
in schools, which was presented at the last Meeting at Nottingham. The Com- 
mittee admit the existence of a general and even national desire to facilitate the 
acquisition of some scientific knowledge by boys at our public and other schools ; 
and a very interesting account is appended of the progress which has already 
been made in Oxford, Cambridge, the University of London, and the College of 
Preceptors, as compared with the French and German schools. The conclusions 
of the report are highly practical, and recommend that in all schools natural 
science should be taught; that at least three hours a week should be devoted to 
ee 
ere 
