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NOTES AND COMMENTS. 
THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. Y's | 
“As we were going to press with our last number, the British 
Association for’ the Advancement of Science met at Ports- 
mouth. From almost every point of view the gathering’ was 
distinctly disappointing. Perhaps the number of members 
attending is the best evidence of the success of a meeting. 
The attendance was very poor indeed. And, with a few 
brilliant exceptions, those present could hardly be said to be 
even fair representatives of British scientific workers. A few 
years ago it was possible to find practically everybody of 
importance, scientifically, at this annual congress. At Ports- 
mouth, scores of pies prominent members were conspicuous 
by their absence. 
THE SECTIONAL MEETINGS. 
eactibliy partly as a result of the circumstances aeetoned! 
the sectional meetings were, for the most part, dull and un- 
interesting. Many of the contributions brought forward were by 
no means new ; and in none of. the sections was there any really 
remarkable paper or announcement. [Even the address of the 
President, Sir William Ramsay, largely dealt with the question 
of. the future of Britain’s coal supply—a matter which was 
thoroughly discussed by the Association a few years ago. And 
Dr. H. R. Mill, in his public lecture on ‘ Rain,’ added to the 
general cheerfulness by informing us that we must expect more 
rain than usual during the next few years! 
THE SOCIAL SIDE. 
Those who care for this sort of thing were fairly well catered 
for. There was a really brilliant reception at the South Parade 
Pier on the Thursday evening; the mildness of the weather 
enabling the members to walk under the stars, and listen to 
the strains of the bands. This appealed to the ladies, and we 
believe the gentlemen enjoyedit. One did. There was a Garden 
Party at the Victoria Park, and also one at ‘ Brankesmere,’ the 
‘mere’ being real, with two boats upon it. At this function 
all the ladies’ dresses were described in the local press. There 
were visits to dockyards, pumping stations, gas works, des- 
tructor works, and sewerage pumping stations. There was also 
a fine display of submarine boats and torpedo boat destroyers. 
There was an excursion to the Isle of Wight, but red tape 
probably prevented many from taking part. 
ACCOMMODATION. 
The reception room, in the Connaught Drill Hall, answered 
its purpose, though rather resembling a banner-strewn barn. 
The sections were housed with varying success: the geologists 
tort ¢ Oct. iy we 
