464 



REPORT — 1879. 



and conflicting hypotheses, and thus promote the real advancement of true science. 

 This Society, now in the thirteenth year of its existence, counts 744 members. 



The numerical progress of the scientific societies during the last forty years 

 has heen by no means uniform. In some cases a law is in force for the very purpose 

 of restricting the membership. Thus the Royal Society, which in 1846 had 841 

 fellows in 1878 had only 549 fellows. The Society of Antiquaries, under a similar 

 law, had 867 fellows in 1831, and in 1878 only 600. Other societies, however, 

 have no limit to their membership, and are capable of great expansion. The 

 dano-er, indeed, is that in the eagerness to increase their number due care may 

 not°be taken to elect only persons sufficiently conversant with the different 

 sciences. There has always existed considerable difference in the character of 

 several of our scientific societies. In some cases they consist exclusively of men 

 of science ; in others they comprise many simply interested in the progress of 

 certain sciences ; in others, again, they are purely composed of professional men. 

 The Society of Arts, the Royal Geographical Society, the Royal Botanic Society, 

 and the like, are mixed societies, the scientific element being represented in them 

 in more or less proportion. The Institute of Civil Engineers, the Pharmaceutical 

 Society, are composed of professional men. In the interest of the advancement 

 of science, it is undesirable to close the door of entrance too tightly to these 

 societies, and thus lose the means which a large membership places at their dis- 

 posal for increasing usefulness. I venture to _ suggest that fellowship in such 

 societies, and the honour of using their initials, should always be reserved 

 for men of science ; but that an unlimited number be admitted as members or 

 associates. 



Taken at four intervals of ten years, the number of members of the principal 

 societies was as follows : — 



