486 EEport— 1903. 



fossils, encOufaged and directed by the local committees, Would certainly 

 be of direct educational value to all taking part in it ; and the reports, 

 when issued, would be admirable object-lessons, serving to show how 

 much of interest our own counties possess. And now that the importance 

 of museums in education is recognised by scores of thoughtful writers and 

 speakers, would not the sets of specimens, accurately named, localised and 

 described, be of real use to students and investigators ? Of the scientific 

 importance of the results from the work advocated it is unnecessary to 

 speak before this Committee. And we must not forget that there is a 

 strong feeling of local patriotism, which appeals to all, scientific or others. 



Of the legal aspect of the question I am not qualified to speak ; the 

 problem might be submitted in the first instance to the Board of Education. 

 Should it be found that the present law would not permit of such allocation 

 of funds, it might not be difficult to induce the Government to introduce 

 a two-line clause into some ' omnibus ' Educational Bill (there are sure to 

 be a few in the near future) permitting the county councils to act as 

 indicated above. 



I would suggest, if the proposals meet with the approval of the 

 Scientific Societies Committee, that a small sub-committee be appointed, 

 to meet in London and consider the steps that may be necessary to bring 

 the matter before the public and the authorities. Perhaps the British 

 Association itself would aid in bringing the matter prominently before 

 those in authority and the public generally, and it might not be difiicult to 

 enlist the .sympathies and co-operation of a few Members of Parliament 

 favourable to scientific education, supposing any parliamentary action is 

 necessary. 



I should like to see some active, practical steps taken ; in my opinion, 

 the local Scientific Societies Committee could not confer a greater benefit 

 on the Societies, nor aid more the progress and study of natural science 

 and archajology in the counties by the numerous amateurs now existing 

 than in promoting some such scheme as that I have advocated. 



The Chairman (Rev. J. 0. Bevan) : Mr. Cole's paper is now open for 

 discussion, and there are many points of importance suggested l)y it which 

 will, no doubt, receive your consideration. 



Dr. "W. R. Scott (Delegate from Section F) : I feel considerable 

 diffidence in saying anything on this subject, because I am afraid in this 

 meeting I am somewhat of an outlander, representing as I do the 

 Economic Section. But I would like to recommend to the consideration 

 of the members of the Committee the work indicated in the paper in one 

 direction particularly arising out of my own personal experience. One of 

 the subjects of economical investigation which is going to come most 

 prominently before the public in the near future is that of economic 

 history, and in the investigations in connection with this I had occasion 

 to examine the records of local societies with reference to a question of 

 considerable practical and theoretical importance, ^iz., the localisation of 

 industry, finding out how certain industries sprang up or died out in 

 certain places. In compiling information of the kind indicated under the 

 head of archaeology, I am certain investigators will come across records 

 of old industries and callings, and things of that nature, Avhich are 

 frequently passed over. I should like to suggest to those who are engaged 

 in the study of economics, that if they would make a note of these things it 

 would be of very great assistance to us. 



