ON CLAIMS FOR REWARD FOR ADOPTED INVENTIONS ETC. 243 



Concerning the number of the septa, this can hardly be regarded as of 

 value, since this number is dependent on age and surrounding conditions 

 during the growth of the polyp. 



In order that some definite rule may be obtained as a guide in the classi- 

 fication of corals, it is proposed to select generic types, and, after making 

 sections of these through different jjarts, to exhibit their structure in plates, 

 from the ova to their mature forms ; and it is only when this is faithfully 

 done that we can hope to determine where a sjjecies begins and a variety ends. 



We have, in conclusion, to thank the British Association and many kind 

 friends for the assistance rendered us, and hope for its continuance until this 

 laborious but interesting investigation be completed, as we are satisfied that 

 results will be obtained commensurate with the time and expense which the 

 work has cost during the last fifteen years. 



A sum considerably in excess of the grant having been expended, the 

 Committee have to ask that a further grant of £25 be placed at their disposal 

 for continuing the investigation. 



Report of the Committee, consisting of J. F. Bateman, C.E., F.R.S., 

 P. Le Neve Foster, M.A., C. W. Merripield, F.R.S., E. Easton, 

 F.G.S., F. J. Bramwell, C.E., W. Hope, V.C, and H. Bauerman, 

 F.G.S., appointed to consider' the mode in ivhich new Inventions and 

 Claims for Reivard in respect of adopted Inventions are examined 

 and dealt with by the different Departments of Government, and to 

 report on the best means of removing any real causes of dissatisfac- 

 tion, as tvell as of silencing unfounded complaints. 



Having regard to the evidence taken by the Committee of the House of 

 Commons on the subject of the Patent Laws, in 1871 and 1872, on the rela- 

 tions between inventors and the Government, as well as to complaints made 

 in Parliament and elsewhere, your Committee were of opinion that they had 

 before them sufiicient information " as to the mode in which new inventions, 

 and claims for reward in respect of adopted inventions, are examined and 

 dealt with by the difierent departments of Government." They therefore 

 did not think it necessary or desirable to examine witnesses on the subject. 



The Committee considered it fully established that the present methodical 

 mode of dealing with inventions submitted to the different departments of 

 Government was uncertain and unsatisfactory in itself, frequently unjust to 

 inventors, and generally detrimental to the public administration. They 

 considered it established to their satisfaction, that real injustice was 

 frequently done to inventors, not only by neglect and procrastination in 

 dealing with their claims, but also by the undue preference of other con- 

 flicting claims urged by officers of the different departments. Without enter- 

 ing into the merits of any cases in point, it appeared beyond doubt that the 

 practical judges of the inventions have been very often rival inventors within 

 the departments. The Committee considered it obvious that this placed both 

 the inventor and departmental officers in a false position, and that the con- 

 sequent decisions could be satisfactory to nobody. As matter of evidence, 

 they considered that these departmental decisions had failed to give satisfac- 

 tion either to inventors or to the public. 



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