248 Notes and Comments. 



there were many large areas which appeared not to be served 

 by any societies of the kind. Discussion was invited, which 

 lasted for the remainder of the morning. 



A YORKSHIRE EXPERIENCE. 



The general feeling was that, desirable as it is that every- 

 thing should be done to increase the popularity and work of 

 our scientific societies, the present time was inopportune, seeing 

 that so many of the young and vigorous men were occupied 

 with more important duties. In his reply to the discussion 

 the president attached particular importance to the remarks 

 made by the delegate from Hull, in reference to the excellent 

 work being accomplished in Yorkshire, where there are far 

 more important societies than in any other county. It was 

 pointed out that, notwithstanding the elaborate and systematic 

 instruction in Nature-study in the schools, and the formation 

 of Nature-study societies for teachers, the result unquestion- 

 ably was that there was less apparent interest taken in natural 

 history by young men and women after leaving school, and 

 even before the war the membership of the societies had shown 

 an apparent decrease. The conference decided to endeavour 

 to prepare a list of all the scientific societies in the country. 



AFFORESTATION, ETC. 



At the afternoon session Mr. Martin C. Duchesne read an 

 admirable paper on ' Afforestation,' Sir Charles Bathurst and 

 many of the delegates taking part in the discussion. The 

 lecturer dealt at length with the urgent question of the increase 

 of our home forests, and made many excellent suggestions 

 towards the accomplishment of this. It was felt that the 

 delegates could get the societies they represented to use their 

 influence to further the growth of timber throughout the 

 country, and one practical proposition was made, namely, to 

 form an Arbor Day throughout the country. Such a suggeston, 

 made on July 4th, was also complimentary to our American 

 friends, who have had an Arbor Day for many years. A short 

 note from Mr. P. Westell, who was not present, was read, the 

 gist of which seemed to be that some authority should make 

 grants to local museums, but how and by whom these grants 

 should be made the author did not seem to know, and the 

 delegates did not appear to be able to help him. On behalf 

 of Mr. B. B. Woodward a ' typomap ' of the British Isles was 

 exhibited, upon which naturahsts may record the distribution 

 of species. This will probably be circulated among the various 

 societies. More than one member commented on the fact that 

 this year, when the necessity for directing attenton to the 

 national value of science seemed so great, the British Association 

 for the advancement of science had decided to have no general 

 meeting. 



Naturalist, 



