SOUTH AFRICA: 1905. 625 
last. The beautifully illuminated parchment in which the copy is embodied will 
be treasured amongst the most valued archives of the Association. 
The President desires to avail himself of the present opportunity of renewing 
his previous expressions of gratitude to the burgesses and inhabitants of Pieter- 
maritzburg for the magnificent reception and for the generous hospitality accorded 
to the members of the Association on the occasion of their memorable visit to the . 
beautiful and prosperous Colony of Natal. 
The Council of the British Association cordially reciprocate the eloquent words 
of friendship contained in the Address ; and they express the hope that the visit 
may afford an incentive to study and research, not only in the realms of pure 
knowledge, but also in those applications of science which have such diverse and 
supreme importance in the development of commerce. 
The members of the British Association, during their long and varied journey 
through South Africa, have reaped a rich harvest of observation in many depart- 
ments of science. The Council confidently expect that these observations will be 
the starting-point of many investigations on subjects having a special bearing on 
South Africa; and they hope that in this manner the members of the Association 
may be enabled in some degree to repay the deep debt of gratitude under which 
they lie to their fellow-subjects of the King beyond the seas. 
Signed, on behalf of the Council of the British Association, this 30th day of 
November, 1905, 
G. H. Darwin, 
President of the British Association 
for the Advancement of Science. 
Burlington House, London, W. 
BLOEMFONTEIN. 
To THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,—On behalf of the members of the Philosophical 
Society of the Orange River Colony, we desire to join in welcoming you to our 
Colony and to the city of Bloemfontein. Our Society is as yet so young that we 
should hardly have ventured to do so, were it not that at present it is the only 
Society in this Colony whose aims and objects are akin to those of your great 
Association. 
Formed only since the declaration of peace, and seeking to develop amidst all 
the difficulties of the work of reconstruction which has occupied the last four 
years, you will easily understand that it has not been possible for us to do much, 
or to do what we have done very thoroughly, but if we refer to what has been 
done or what we are proposing todo in the near future, we feel sure you will 
consider we are proceeding on right lines, and give promise of really useful 
work in the time to come. 
Papers, followed by interesting discussions, have been read by Dr. Brill, Rector 
of Grey College, on Social Life in Bloemfontein in early days; by Mr. Lyle, 
Science Lecturer of the Grey College, on the Discovery and Nature of Radium ; 
by Miss Steedman, Principal of the Girls’ High School, on Adaptations in 
Plants in the Orange River Colony, and in June last year we were fortunate in 
having a lecture from Professor Hele Shaw on Aérial Navigation. 
Mr. Glenday, of the Government Works Department, read a paper on 
Irrigation, which we have been able to publish; the Rev. Z. Lawrence lectured 
on Tolstci and Modern Russia; and the Right Rev. Dr. Chandler, Bishop of 
Bloemfontein, gave an address on Plato and the Greek Ideals of Iducation: this 
was largely attended by the teachers of the Colony. 
We have promises of papers from Dr. Targett-Adams, Mr. Stead, and Mr. Weall, 
the Government analysts; Dr. Pratt Yule, medical officer of health for the 
Colony; Major Gray, head of the Municipal Police; Dr. Mossop, Mr. H. B. 
1905. ss 
