622 REPORT— 1901. 



etands first. The custom of offering prizes for the solutions of definite problems 

 ■which are necessary to the general advance obtains more in Germany and in 

 France than here, where, I believe, the Adams Prize stands alone. The idea 

 has an indirect value in pointing out some of the more pressing desiderata to 

 young and enthusiastic students, and a direct importance in frequently, as it 

 proves, producing remarkable dissertations on the proposed questions. The field 

 is so vast that any comprehensive scheme of co-operation is scarcely possible, 

 though much more might be done with advantage. 



If we turn our eyes to the world of astronomy we find there a grand scheme of 

 co-operation which other departments may indeed envy. The gravitation formula has 

 been recognised from the time of Newton as ruling the dynamics of the heavens, 

 and the exact agreement of the facts derived from observation with the simple 

 theory has established astronomy as the most exact of all the departments of 

 applied science. Men who devote themselves to science are actuated either by a 

 pure love of truth or because they desire to apply natural knowledge to the bene- 

 fit of mankind. Astronomers, belong, as a rule, to the first category, which, it 

 must be admitted, is the more purely scientific. We not only find international 

 co-operation in systematically mapping the universe of stars and keeping all por- 

 tions of the universe under constant observation, but also when a particular object 

 in the heavens presents itself under circumstances of peculiar interest or importance, 

 the observatories of the world combine to ascertain the facta in a manner which is 

 truly remarkable. As an illustration, I will instance the tiny planet Eros dis- 

 covered a few years ago by De Witt. Recently the planet was in opposition and 

 more favourably situated for observation than it will be again for thirty years. It 

 was determined, at a conference held in Paris in Jul}' 1900, that combined work 

 should be undertaken by no fewer than fifty observatories in all parts of the world. 

 Beyond the fixing of the elements of the mean motion and of the perturbations of 

 orbit due to the major planets, tbe principal object in view is the more accurate 

 determination of solar parallax. To my mind this concert of the world, this cos- 

 mopolitan association of fine intellects, fine instruments, and the best known 

 methods, is a deeply impressive spectacle and a grand example of an ideal scientific 

 spirit. Other sciences are not so i'avourably circumstanced as is astronomy for 

 work of a similar kind undertaken in a similar spirit. If in comparison tbey 

 appear to be in a chaotic state, the reason in part must be sought for in conditions 

 inherent to their study, which make combined work more ditficult, and the results 

 of such combined work as there is, less striking to spectators. Still, the illustra- 

 tion I have given is a useful object-lesson to all men of science, and may encourage 

 those who have the ability and the opportunity to make strenuous eflbrts to 

 further progress by bringing the work of many to a single focus. 



In pure science we look for a free interchange of ideas, but in applied physics the 

 case is ditt'erent, owing to the fact that the commercial spirit largely enters into them. 

 In a recent address, Professor Perry has stated that the standard of knowledge in 

 electrical engineering in this country is not as high as it is elsewhere, and all men 

 of science and many men in the street know him to be right. This is a serious 

 state of affairs, to which the members of this Section cannot be in any sense 

 indifferent. We cannot urge that it is a matter with which another Section of 

 the Association is concerned to a larger degree. It is our duty to take an active, 

 and not merely passive attitude towards this serious blot on the page of applied 

 science in England. For this many reasons might be given, but it is sufficient to 

 instance one, and to state that neglect of electrical engineering has a baneful 

 effect upon research in pure science in this country. It hinders investigations in 

 pure physics by veiling from observation new phenomena which arise naturally, 

 and by putting out of our reach means of experimenting with new combinations 

 on a large scale. Professor Perry has assigned several reasons for the present 

 impasse, viz., a want of knowledge of mathematics on the part of the rising 

 generation of engineers ; the bad teaching of mathematics ; the antiquated methods 

 of education generally ; and want of recognition of the fact that engineering is not 

 on stereotyped lines, but, in its electrical aspect, is advancing at a prodigious i-ate ; 

 municipal procrastination, and so on. He confesses, moreover, that be does not 



