336 REPORTS ON THE STATR OF SCIENCH. 
so much; it is equally if not more interesting, and the results obtained 
would be of the greatest utility in promoting the higher efficiency of the 
nation and maintaining our position in the front rank of the great nations. 
[A demonstration of methods of measurement was then given. ] 
In the subsequent discussion Mr. A. L. Lewis (Royal Anthropological 
Institute) remarked, in reference to Mr. Gray’s pauperism map, that the 
type of Poor Law Guardian in the respective localities might perhaps be 
usefully investigated as an assistance to the solution of the problem. The 
following members of the Conference also spoke :—Colonel Underwood, the 
Rev. R. Ashington Bullen, and Messrs. F. Balfour Browne, W. Whitaker, 
Mark L. Sykes, and W. P. D. Stebbing. 
Second Meeting, October 26. 
The meeting was presided over by Dr. A. C. Haddon (Chairman). 
Thanks were passed to Mr. Gray for attending, before the business of the 
day commenced, with his measuring instruments and demonstrating their 
use. 
The Chairman read a motion relating to the work of the British Asso- 
ciation and its corresponding societies, brought forward by Mr. H. D. Acland, 
but the subject, after discussion, was withdrawn. 
Professor R. Meldola introduced the discussion’ on the ‘Suggested 
Publication Fund’ circular of the Corresponding Societies Committee. This 
points out that— 
‘There is reason for believing that many, if not most, of the scientific 
societies in this country are suffering from want of sufficient means to 
enable them to publish the results of -original investigations which are 
presented by their fellows or members. The scientific activity of the 
country, as represented by the publications of these societies, is steadily 
increasing; but with this increased output of scientific work there has 
not been a corresponding increase in the finances of the societies concerned, 
and so in many cases their resources are strained to such an extent that 
their Councils are unable to publish much of the original work done, or, if 
they spend to the utmost extent of their resources upon their publications, 
their work in other directions is crippled. 
‘This state of affairs has recently been discussed by our Committee, and 
it is considered that the time is opportune for getting an expression of 
opinion from all our scientific societies, with a view to deciding, if thought 
desirable, upon some line of action. As assistance is required towards the 
cost of publishing, it has been suggested that the establishment of a 
Publication Fund of the same kind as the Government Grant for Scientific 
Investigations, now administered by the Royal Society, would be the best 
method of dealing with the difficulty. How such a fund could be obtained, 
and whether the assistance of the Government should be asked for, are 
questions which could be considered after the general principle of the 
necessity of obtaining some such means of promoting work, which is really 
of national importance, has been decided upon.’ 
The circular goes on to specify the form of the present direct State aid 
for the promotion of scientific research. It considers the necessity for a hody 
of evidence on the state of affairs and the means available by scientific 
societies for publication. Continuing, it suggests that the societies receiving 
the circular can show ‘ Whether it is desirable that any concerted action 
should be taken with a view to relieving scientific societies of a portion of 
the burden of publishing the results of original investigations’ and whether 
‘the increase of the Government grant by an amount to be earmarked for 
this particular purpose would be the most effective means of rendering such 
assistance.’ Ihe Committee point out that to carry weight in any action 
