363 

 ANTHROPOLOGY AT THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 



GEORGE A. AUDEN, M.A., M.D., F.S.A., etc, 



In point of general interest, the proceedings of the anthropo- 

 logical section were fully equal to those of previous years. 

 The prominent position taken by archaeology, and by classical 

 archaeology particularly, shews how useful a. function is served 

 by Section H in giving to the general public the most recent 

 achievements of the scholar's spade, which would otherwise 

 be only accessible in the volumes of the Proceedings and 

 Transactions of learned Societies. 



In his Presidential Address, Mr. W. Crooks dealt with the 

 Ethnology of India, and with the anthropological questions 

 arising therefrom. At the outset he shewed the imperative 

 need of a central bureau for the study and classification of the 

 mass of material which is being now culled from all sources by 

 investigators of all degrees of knowledge. All sound adminis- 

 tration of a native population by a foreign minority must be 

 based upon a thorough understanding of the religious and 

 social customs of the country. The failure to grasp this prin- 

 ciple, and a disregard of native prejudices in India, has been 

 one cause of our administrative difficulties. Recognition of 

 these facts has been the secret of the success of the American 

 Government in their dealings with the Philippine Islanders. 

 Adequate instruction in native habits and customs should 

 therefore be provided for intending Indian Civil Servants. 



Dealing with the prehistoric races of India, he shewed that 

 the palaeolithic implements appear to be somewhat later 

 in date than those of Europe, and that this period was widely 

 separated in point of time from the neolithic period. This 

 culture period, however, continued down until comparatively 

 recent times, and was continuous with the Iron Age without the 

 intervention of any period of bronze. On the other hand, a 

 well-marked Copper Age, with a long period of development, 

 is evident from the researches of Mr. A. V. Smith. 



In conclusion, he pointed out the important part which 

 Anthropology must play in the evolution of problems of home 

 government. ' One of the chief tasks must be the examination 

 of the physical and moral condition of the depressed classes of 

 our home population and the effect of modern systems of educa- 

 tion on the mind and body of the child.' 



3916 Oct. I. 



