i36 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE. 



Con'esponding Societies Committee. — Report of tlte Committee, consist- 

 ing of Mr. W. Whitaker (Chairman), Mr. F. W. Rudler 

 (Secretary), Rev. J. O. Bevan, Sir Edward Brabrook, Dr. Horace 

 T. Brown, Dr. J. G. Garson, Principal E. H. Griffiths, 

 Mr. T. V. Holmes, Mr. J. Hopkinson, Professor R. Meldola, 

 Dr. H. R. Mill, Mr. C. H. Read, Rev. T. R. R. Stebbtng, 

 Professor W. W. Watts, and the President and General 

 Officers. (Drawn %i,jp by the Secretary.) 



The resolution on the subject of Photographic Surveys, which was sent 

 up by the Conference of Delegates to the Committee of Recommendations 

 at the Leicester meeting, was remitted by the Council to the Corre- 

 sponding Societies Committee. This resolution deals with three distinct 

 questions, to each of which the Committee have given their attention. 

 The first clause of the resolution expresses the desirability of obtaining 

 ' information as to the present state of things in Britain in connection 

 with photo survey-work.' In order to obtain such information the Com- 

 mittee prepared a circular, with a schedule of questions, which was sent, 

 towards the end of last year, to all the T-ocal Societies in correspondence 

 with the British Association. Replies were received from thirty-eight 

 societies, and are preserved for future reference in the office of the 

 Association. These replies give information, in more or less detail, about 

 survey- woi'k in the counties of Devon, Dorset, Essex, Kent, Shropshire, 

 Surrey, Sussex, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and Yorkshire. It appears 

 from the replies that very little systematic survey-work is imdertaken 

 directly by the local scientific societies, but in several cases it is carried 

 on by organisations which are related, more or less closely, to the societies, 

 and in some instances are their direct offspring. It is to be regretted 

 that certain surveys, after having been started with enthusiasm, seem to 

 have lapsed into inactivity. 



With regard to the second clause of the resolution, which suggests 

 that the British Association should ' publish instructions or give advice 

 for the execution of a scientific photographic survey,' the Committee, 

 while recognising the desirability of co-ordinating the work which is 

 being carried on in different localities, do not feel justified in recom- 

 mending the Council of the Association to undertake the responsibility of 

 issuing any code of general instructions. The Committee d sire to put 

 on record the receipt of a resolution passed by the Council of the Photo- 

 graphic Survey and Record of Surrey, expressing the opinion that ' It is 

 desirable to federate the various Photographic Surveys in this country for 

 the greater furtherance of record work.' Much may, no doubt, be said in 

 favour of federation, but in view of the existence of the National Photo- 

 graphic Record Society, the Committee hesitate to recommend the 

 Council of the British Association to take action in the matter. 



The third clause of the resolution passed at the Leicester Conference 

 expresses the desire that steps should be taken ' to found or promote a 

 photo- record of the town and district in which the British Association 

 holds its annual meeting.' The Committee are of opinion that it is desirable 

 there should be such a record ; and, in an interim Report to the Council, 

 have recommended that the Local Executive Committee of the Association 

 should be asked eacli year to obtain n collection of photogi-aphs of the 



