318 Notes and Comments. 
as well as their effective temperatures and the amount of light 
they radiate. Industry in the collection of accurate data is 
required, along with constant attempts to interpret them as 
they are collected. The more accurate and detailed our know- 
ledge of the stellar system as it is now, the better will be our 
position for the dynamical and physical study of its history 
and evolution. 
PROF. C. G. SELIGMAN’S ADDRESS. 
In his address to the Anthropological Section, Prof. Seligman 
outlined the early history of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan from 
the standpoint of the ethnologist. He stated that concerning 
the early pre-history of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan we have 
no more than indications. In the Neolithic stage, which 
appears to have persisted until a comparatively recent date, 
Negro influence, if not predominant over the whole area, was 
at least powerfully felt even in the north, as is shown by the 
distribution of polished axe-heads. But against this northward 
pressure must be set the continual extension of Egyptian 
culture, the evidence for which may best be found in the 
eschatological ideas and burial customs (“ mummification ’ and 
anthropoid coffins) of the peoples of Equatoria. This influence, 
which seems to have persisted until medieval times, may have 
reached tropical Negroland as early as the Middle or even the 
Old Kingdom. Nor was the Nile route the only one by which 
Egyptian influence was spread. Another and later drift 
extended westwards as shown by the coinage of the north 
African States, which enables us to fix its date within fairly 
precise limits. We do not know how far south this drift 
travelled, but it seems certain that it reached at least as far 
as the Senegal River and the great bend of the Niger. 
MUSEUMS. 
The Committee appointed to examine the Character, Work, 
and Maintenance of Museums reported that during the year it 
had carried out extensive inquiries upon various aspects of 
museums in relation to Education. Sectional Reports upon 
the museum needs of school children, students, and the general 
public have been drawn up by sub-committees, and afterwards 
issued to all the members. A lengthy questionnaire was pre- 
pared by the Committee in the hope of its adoption by the 
House of Lords for departmental issue to all museums. Owing 
to the war, this was not possible, and the questionnaire was 
therefore issued by the Committee on its own responsibility to 
all provincial museums in the British Isles. About one hundred 
and forty replies have been received, and are now under con- 
sideration. A special questionnaire upon classical education 
in relation to museums has also been issued. <A joint con- 
ference between the Committee and the Museums Association 
Naturalist, 
