210 report— 1879. 



Report of the Committee, consisting of Mr. Sclater, Dr. G. Haet- 

 ladb, Sir Joseph Hooker, Capt. F. M. Hunter, and Professor 

 Flower, appointed to take steps for the Investigation of the 

 Natural History of Socotra. 



The Committee have not held any formal meetings, but have been in fre- 

 quent communication with each other on the subject. ' 



The best time for the exploration of Socotra being from November to 

 March, the Committee were not able to make the necessary arrangements 

 last autumn. Next winter, however, they believe that Colonel H. H. 

 Godwin-Austen, than whom no more competent naturalist could be found, 

 will be able to undertake an expedition to Socotra, and to make a thorough 

 investigation of its natural history. Colonel Godwin-Austen has applied 

 to the Surveyor- General of India for the use of some of the assistants on 

 his staff, and proposes to make a complete topographical survey of the 

 island during the expedition. 



It is estimated that the total cost of the expedition will be about £300. 

 Of this £100, granted by the Association last year, has been received by 

 the Committee and deposited in the London and County Bank at interest. 

 The sum of £175, having been devoted to this same purpose out of the 

 Government Fund of £4,000 administered by the Royal Society, has been 

 paid to Colonel Godwin- Austen, and has been added to the account at the 

 London and County Bank. 



There remains, therefore, only £25 requisite to complete the sum of 

 £300, which the Committee consider will be required for the expedition. 



The Committee request that the Committee for the investigation of 

 the Natural History of Socotra may be reappointed, with the additional 

 name of Colonel H. H. Godwin-Austen, and that the balance of £25 

 necessary to complete the estimate of expenditure may be placed at their 

 disposal. 



Report of the Committee, consisting of Mr. F. J. Bramwell, 

 Mr. A. E. Fletcher, Rev. E. L. Berthon, Mr. James R. Napier, 

 Mr. C. W. Meruifield, Dr. C. W. Siemens, Mr. H. M. Brunel, 

 Mr. J. N. Shoolbred (Secretary), Professor James Thomson, and 

 Professor Sir William Thomson, on Instruments for Measuring 

 the Speed of Shij^s. 



It is with feelings of gTeat regret that the Committee have to advert to 

 the death of their chairman, the late Mr. Wm. Froude, M.A., F.R.S. 

 His somewhat sudden demise was a great loss to science, and especially 

 to that branch of investigation — the action of waves upon ships — to 

 which he had devoted himself. His loss must be greatly regretted by 

 the British Association generally, but more particularly by this Com- 

 mittee, since by his death was left incomplete that series of experiments 

 upon those instruments for measuring the speed of ships, which had been 

 referred to this Committee to report upon, and which, at the instance of 



