198 Lamp! ugh : Man as an Instrument of Research. 



already extended its bounds is marked for us by the difference 

 between civilized and uncivilized man ; and we may reasonably 

 anticipate that the advantage of fuller knowledge to our race 

 in the future will be not less great than in the past. Conse- 

 quently it should be our earnest endeavour, individually and 

 collectively, to push investigation in every direction further and 

 further into the unknown. In this work, the co-operation of 

 many varied capacities is essential ; and each of us by his 

 individual quality has the possibility of service as an instru- 

 ment of research that can be rendered by none other. In pene- 

 trating the darkness, every taper has its value — " no torch, it 

 suffices — held deftly and straight. Eyes, purblind at first, feel 

 their way in due season." The poet of modern thought has 

 spoken truly and well for us in this. And he shall voice our 

 intent, for — 



"... Man's the prerogative — knowledge once gained — • 



To ignore, — find new knowledge to press for, to swerve 

 In pursuit of, no, not for a moment : attained — 



Why, onward through ignorance ! Dare and deserve I 

 As still to its asymptote speedeth the curve," 



The principal paper in the ' Essex Naturalist,' which has recently 

 appeared, and covers the period October 1908 to January 1909, is on ' A 

 History of the Mineral Waters and jMedicinal Springs of the County of 

 Essex,' by Mr. Miller Christy, F.L.S. and Miss Thresh. 



From the Birmingham and INIidland Institute Scientific Society we 

 have received the Records of Meteorological Observations taken at the 

 Observatory at Edgbaston, 1909 (2/-). The records have been prepared 

 under the editorship of the Curator, Mr. Alfred Cresswell. 



Amongst the publications recently received we notice parts XX- to 

 XXII. of the valuable ' Old Lore Series,' issued by the \'iking Club (29 

 Ashburnham Mansions, Chelsea), under the editorship of Mr. and Mi's. 

 Johnston. Number XX., which deals with the Orkney, etc., district, 

 has an illustrated paper entitled, ' The Past in the Present,' referring to 

 the methods of marking sheep, etc. The volume also contains many 

 items of interest to antiquaries and philologists. 



In commemoration of their recent Jubilee, the Liverpool Geological 

 Society has issued a well-illustrated and well-written volume containing 

 '' A Retrospect of Fifty Years' Existence and Work,' by Mr. W. Hewitt. In 

 addition to reviewing the work that the Society has accomplished, there 

 are notices and photographs of former prominent members, namely : — ■ 

 Joseph Lomas, George H. Morton, T. Mellard Reade and Charles Ricketts. 

 Several other well-known geologists are also referred to. 



The Corresponding Societies' Committee of the British Association 

 has issued its report on the Conference of Delegates held in London (45 pp., 

 i/-). This contains reports of an address by Dr. A. C. Haddon on ' Regional 

 Surveys ' ; ' National Anthropometry,' by Mr. John Gray ; and ' The Finan- 

 cial Position of our Local Societies,' by Mr. John Hopkinson. There is a list 

 of the Associated Societies, and a Bibliography containing particulars of 

 the papers published in the Transactions of Local Societies during the year 

 -ending May 31st, 1909. This list seems somewhat incomplete, though 

 <doubtless through no fault of the compiler. 



Naturalist, 



