ON GASEOUS EXPLOSIONS. 84 1 



no (|u;iiiLiUiti\ c eatiination of the effects of vibration of the molecules on 

 the specific heat is possible at the present stage of knowledge, but it is 

 important to bear the possibility of such effects in mind as a guide for 

 future investigat'OD. 



^fp|JalithiG Remains in the Brilish Isles. — Rejiort of the Committee, 

 consisting of Professor W. Kidgevvay (Ghairman), Dr. G. A. 

 AuDEN (Secretary), Dr. H. A. Audex, Mr. G. L. Gomme, 

 Professor J. L. Myres, and Mr. F. W. Rudlek, appointed to 

 report on the best means of registering and classifjing systematically 

 Megalithic Remcdns in the British Isles. 



The Committee was appointed at the York Meeting (1906) of the Asso- 

 ciation, and made an interim report at the Leicester Meeting (Rej)ort 

 Brit. Assoc, Leicester, 1907, p. -391). The present report brings the work 

 of the Committee to an end. 



The Committee's first task was to inquire what means are adopted in 

 other countries for the registration and classification of megalithic monu- 

 ments. In this task the Committee has received valuable assistance 

 from foreign scholars, and particularly from Dr. Oscar Montelius, Dr, 

 Soph us Miiller, Herr Haakon Sclietelig, and M. Salomon Reinach. To 

 these distinguished colleagues the Committee desires to express its most 

 hearty thanks. 



The Committee desii-es to point out, in the first place, that in regard 

 to Scotland and to Wales its task has been greatly simplified by the 

 recent appointment of official Commissions to report upon the historical 

 monuments of those countries. For it is obviously within the scope of 

 those Commissions to register and classify megalithic remains ; and all 

 future investigations by individual observers or by local organisations 

 should be carried out in co-operation with these Commissions. 



Neither England nor Ireland is as yet provided with an official Com- 

 mission of this kind ; and the Committee strongly urges that the British 

 Association should use its influence vigorously and promptly to secure 

 the creation of such Commissions at the earliest opportunity. Every 

 year's delay means damage or dangerous neglect of one or more of these 

 monuments and the loss of some part of those local traditions concerning 

 them which are so valuable an elen)ent in our knowledge. Pending the 

 appointment of such official Commissions for England and for Ireland, 

 the Committee desires to indicate briefly the means which exist already 

 for registration and classification such as is contemplated. 



The Ordnance Survey has devoted considerable attention to the 

 record of all early remains and of megalithic monuments among the rest, 

 and possesses much valuable material for more detailed description and 

 registration. The Committee recommends that local observers should 

 put themselves in communication with the Ordnance Survey in the 

 event of the discovery of new monuments or of new evidence as to 

 existing monuments. 



The 'Victoria County Histories,' now in course of publication, are 

 providing in the case of England (though not for Ireland) a very 



