378 REPORT—1904. 
up such work. It is understood that a Committee of the Section of 
Educational Science will submit a Report on the subject of Nature-Study 
at the Cambridge Meeting; and in view of such a Report the Committee 
consider that, at present, it would be premature to discuss details, and 
consequently content themselves with commending the subject as one well 
worthy of the attention of the Corresponding Societies. It is satisfactory 
to learn that certain Societies have already undertaken such work. Thus, 
the Halifax Scientific Society reports that it has sought to promote Nature- 
Study by giving lectures to children and scientific aid to teachers; whilst 
the Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society reports that it is 
furnishing loan-collections of natural-history objects to schools, and has 
further assisted educational work by means of addresses. 
The usual appeal has been made to the various Corresponding Societies 
for suggestions as to subjects suitable for discussion at the forthcoming 
Conference of Delegates. In response to this request the Hertfordshire 
Natural History Society has suggested that it would be desirable to 
discuss the question of the conformity of the publications of the Societies 
with certain bibliographical requirements. The Committee consider that 
this is a subject of much practical utility, and Mr. John Hopkinson, a 
member of the Committee and editor of the ‘ Transactions ’ of the Hertford- 
shire Society, has undertaken to bring the subject forward at Cambridge. 
Dr. Tempest Anderson, who will act as Vice-Chairman of the Confer- 
ence of Delegates, and the Rev. W. Johnson, representing the Yorkshire 
Philosophical Society, have suggested the importance of discussing the 
best method of utilising Local Museums in connection with Elementary 
and other Public Schools. The Committee agree that this is an important 
subject worthy of the attention of the Corresponding Societies, and Mr. 
Johnson has consented to open a discussion on the subject by reading 
a paper at the Cambridge Conference. 
The Committee have heard with satisfaction that several Societies, 
acting on a suggestion made last year, have appointed Standing British 
Association Committees, but it is perhaps as yet too early to learn the 
result of such action. Only twelve of the affiliated Societies, in returning 
the schedules which are sent out annually, have reported that they have 
been able to do any original work during the past year. It appears that 
most of the work undertaken has been of a botanical character, relating 
principally to local botanical surveys. 
Without suggesting further subjects for research, the Committee desire 
to urge upon the representatives of the various local Societies the desir- 
ability of taking up some of the subjects already set forth in former 
Annual Reports of the Committee. Moreover, it is desirable that the 
Societies should endeavour, as far as possible, to assist the work of the 
various Committees of the British Association which are appointed in 
connection with its several Sections. Some of these Committees, it is 
true, have already been indebted for such aid, but it is believed that there 
are many other Committees which might receive substantial help if the 
local Societies would undertake the work with enthusiasm. 
