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TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 169 
two last rivers rising one on each side of the high road at Lopham. There is a 
system of small streams that flow into the sea on the north, a similar system flows 
into the fens on the west, and all the rest of the drainage of Norfolk, including 
about two-thirds of the county, flows into the sea under Yarmouth bridge. 
The navigation for twenty miles from Yarmouth to Norwich is fairly kept up; 
but generally the drainage system is in a deplorable state, as might be expected in 
a very flat country where human ingenuity seems to have been employed in ob- 
structing instead of helping off the water. 
The Waveney-valley improvement act offers some gleam of hope for the future ; 
but the powers of the act are insufficient, greater care having been taken to conci- 
liate the owners of water-rights than to provide for the escape of water in a river 
the fall of which is not more than a foot to a mile, or thereabouts. 
On the Progress of Learned Societies, illustrative of the Advancement of Science 
in the United Kingdom during the last Vhirty Years. By Prot. Lone 
Lyi, F.S.A., FSW. 
The author drew attention to the number and description of our learned societies, 
and to their progress, as a sure indication of the advance of science. A scientific 
census could not be taken by the number of their members, many men of the 
highest scientific attainments not belonging to them, many who have several initial 
letters attached to their names being rather the patrons than the cultivators of 
science, and many belonging to several societies ; yet the author estimated that the 
total number of men directly contributing, by their learning or their wealth, to 
the promotion of science constitutes about 15 in every 10,000 of the population. 
Taking, moreover, the total income of such societies as a basis, it appears that the 
resources of science amounted to £4 to every £10,000 of the national come charged 
to income tax, such facts contrasting most favourably with the time when Mr. Bab- 
bage wrote his ‘ Reflections on the Decline of Science in England,’ and when the 
British Association was first formed, in the year 1830. Having dwelt at length on 
the circumstances attending almost every scientific society in the United Kingdom, 
from the returns made by the societies themselves in answer to a circular he issued, 
the Professor concluded his observations with the following statement :—1. That 
during the last thirty years there has been a large increase in the number and 
membership of learned societies in the United Kingdom, a fact indicative of a 
decided advancement of science. 2. That, classified into distinct groups, the mem- 
bership of learned societies has advanced in the following ratio :— 
Number, Membership, and Income of Learned Societies. 
Royal Societies. 
Beat eee centr | ae 
: ~ | Increase.|Decrease.| Der (28 
bers. bers. Report. 
pee Pee) ea 
1662 |Royal Society.................. ESSS Nee793) | ESO We OST lh sere 18 3983 
1783 |Royal Society of Edinburgh] 1831 | 358 | ...... ZEOE|iroceate Din Taha 
Royal Irish Academy ......} 1838 | 345 | ...... 358 306 lipietates 1210 
3 | 1496) 3 | 1359 9 5193 
f Mathematical and Physical Science. 
| : Statistical Society ............ 1838 | 402 | 186 PAO WmacypS |) ardsooce 7 779 
_ 1865 |London Mathematical So- 
4 Clolyigers acitdde weedeat Vhecacesnce bal ee Ol eee TOW |S cercecse Albu cnet 100 
| 1820 |Royal Astronomical Society.| 1836 | 324 | ...... 528 62 Sepce 1179 
Meexs4x |Chemical Society .........0.2| sec. | cecsee | cones TQ) |" owcswres || veessins 1086 
Ea a a“ SS SS EEE) ee ee eee ee 
