474 REPORT — 1901. 



A beginning or an extension of past work might be made in respect 

 of— 



Meteorological and seismological phenomena. 



Life zones. 



Registration of type specimens. 



Photographs of sections ; records of well-borings, &c. 



Phenomena of glaciation ; eiTatic blocks, 



Origin of lakes ; changes of area and depth. 



Coast and river erosion. 



Pond, cavern, underground life. 



Ethnographical, ethnological, archceological surveys. 



Botanical survey to include fungi and algie. 



Phenological observations. 



It will be understood that this list is provisional, but it is selected by 

 reason of the fact that the field has been already entered upon, and that 

 little further organisation is needed. 



The Confei'ence will make it clear that there is no intention to dictate 

 to the various Societies involved. The suggestions are tentatively put 

 forth in the interests of scientific research, and in response to the demand 

 frequently made by Delegates. Each Society will consider the matter, 

 and, in its wisdom, deal with the subject which seems the more nearly to 

 come within its purview. 



Certain objections may be forestalled : — 



{a) ' Many Societies are composed of men possessing neither the inclina- 

 tion nor ability to take a share in a work of this kind, a few individuals 

 constituting the leading spirits.' From such associations much will not 

 be expected. Even in this case, however, the course suggested may act 

 by way of stimulation, and these Societies are the ones which need to be 

 waked up, 



(b) ' The work is already done by our Society for its own neighbour- 

 hood.' Yes, but is it on the proper lines, and can it be brought forward 

 for publication on the accepted system 1 



(c) ' A danger exists lest persons filled with enthusiasm, but otherwise 

 imperfectly qualified for the task, should be incited to essay the task. 

 This might lead to the production of results false and misleading.' But 

 it is proposed that persons anxious to conduct any inquiry, or to co-operate 

 therein, should be referred by the Committee of the Corresponding Society 

 to a Society or individual expert in the work who would be in a position 

 both to furnish direction and to check results. 



I venture to move the resolution which stands in my name — ' That 

 the Committees of the Corresponding Societies be invited to lay before 

 their members the necessity of carrying on a systematic survey of their 

 counties or districts in respect of ethnography, ethnology, meteorology, 

 ornithology, &c.' 



Mr. Gray : I have very great pleasure in seconding the resolution. I 

 think the communication which Mr. Bevan has read is one of the most 

 valuable that we have had as crystallising our efforts and pointing out 

 what we should really do. Anything in connection with the British 

 Association must be done in an organised way. I have been a Delegate 

 to this Conference from the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club for many 

 years, and I do think that the Conference itself has acted like the river 

 that the Chairman described. The Society I represent is an active 

 Society. Of course we are composed of Irishmen, and necessarily active, 



