CORRESPONDING SOCIETIES. 477 



report upon the position taken up at our next Conference, because there 

 is a great deal of detail in his paper that wc have not heard to-day ; and 

 I think it would form very good subject-matter for the Societies to con- 

 sider in detail, and then we would be in a better position to come to a 

 resolution at our next Conference. It seems rather like taking an unfor- 

 tunate time of the day when we have to come to a resolution without 

 having considered the paper fully. 



Professor "Watts : I would suggest an amendment in order that the 

 subject may be brought to an issue. I ought to say that I think any- 

 thing in the way of systematising our work would be very important 

 indeed ; but I do not think we can expect any good from generalities. 

 The Society that I represent — the Caradoc and Severn Valley Field Club — 

 has a little volume called ' A Record of Bare Facts.' It is a very 

 unambitious little work, but it nails down certain well known facts about 

 the district. I should like to see a small Committee appointed to take up 

 Mr. Bevan's paper and bring something before us at our next meeting in 

 a definite form. I therefore propose that a small Committee, including 

 Mr. Bevan, should be appointed to consider this subject and bring a 

 definite statement which could be sent to the local Societies that we 

 represent, with a suggestion to systematise work, because it is that kind 

 of work that we practically want. 



Professor Merivale : I beg to second Professor Watts' amendment. 



On the amendment being put to the meeting, after much discussion, 

 fifteen voted for the amendment and two against it. 



The Chairman : Then the amendment is carried, and as a matter of 

 form I propose to put it now as a substantive motion that this Committe.'' 

 be appointed. There is no one against it. 



A Committee was then appointed, consisting of the Rev. J. 0. Bevan, 

 Mr. William Gray, Professor Watts, Professor Merivale, and Dr. Vaughan 

 Cornish ; Professor Watts to be convener. 



Mr. Sowerbutts : Is there anything to report on the Conference as to 

 the question of copyright ? We went to a good deal of trouble and ex- 

 pense in gathering information to help us to see what the results of pub- 

 lishing the Societies' transactions when the proposals before the Com- 

 mittee of the House of Lords were carried out. I suppose it did go before 

 the Committee of the Association at least, and we are anxious to know 

 how it stands. We are given to understand that the Committee of the 

 House of Lords is to be reappointed, and we should not be found asleep. 

 It is of importance that the publication of a man's paper by us should not 

 lose him the copyright. I sent a copy of the reports and of the corre- 

 spondence to every Society, so that if the Delegates have not got it it is 

 their own fault. 



The Chairman : The Council of the Association has empowered the 

 officers to co-operate with other scientific Societies for mutual protection 

 if this Bill should be brought forward again, but at present it has lapsed. 



The meeting was then adjourned. 



Second Conference, Sej)temher 17. 



The Second Conference of Delegates of the Corresponding Societies of 

 the British Association for the Advancement of Science was held on Tues- 

 day, September 17, 1901, Mr. F. W. Eudler, F.G.S., Chairman of the 

 Conference, presiding. 



