ee eee pt i eel 
CORRESPONDING SOCIETIES. 33 
and more appreciated. He hoped the delegates would attend regularly, 
so that they might the better explain to their respective Societies on their 
return home the nature of the work in which they were asked to 
co-operate. 
Mr. George Abbott, M.R.C.S., General Secretary of the South Eastern 
Union of Scientific Societies, then read a short paper entitled ‘ District 
Unions of Natural History Societies.’ Mr. Abbott remarked that while local 
Natural History Societies had done much good work, yet that in many 
eases their efforts had been weak, irregular, and desultory. He thought 
the chief cause of failure had been want of organisation. A step in the 
right direction had been taken by the Unions of Scientific Societies already 
existing, such as those of Yorkshire and the East of Scotland, but he 
considered that the British Association did not sufliciently foster such 
unions. He therefore felt that a plan was necessary which would organise 
the local societies under the guidance of the British Association, which 
shouid help to bring these unions into being through the agency of an 
organising secretary. He submitted the following plan for the consideration 
of the Conference :— 
Districts—The United Kingdom should be divided into fifteen or 
twenty districts, in each of which all Natural History Societies should 
be afhliated for mutual aid, counsel, and work. Existing unions should 
perhaps be imitated, at any rate not disturbed. 
Geographical lines should decide their size, which might vary in extent 
and be dependent, in some measure, on railway facilities. From time 
to time these areas might be subject to review, and necessary changes 
made. 
Congress.—Each of such unions would have its annual congress 
attended. by delegates and members from its affiliated societies. This 
would be held in a fresh town every year, with a new president, somewhat 
after the manner of the British Association itself. The congresses would 
probably take place in spring, but two should never be held on the same 
day. 
iohese unions would render important help to local societies, would 
bring isolated workers together, assist schools, colleges, and technical 
institutes and museums, start new societies, and revive waning ones. 
Through these annual meetings local and petty jealousies would Jessen or 
turn to friendly rivalries—each society trying to excel in real work, 
activity, and good science teaching. 
Further, economy of labour would be accomplished by a precise 
demarcation of area for each local society. This would be understood as 
its sphere of work and influence ; in this portion of country it would 
have a certain amount of responsibility in such matters as observation, 
research, and vigilance against encroachments on footpaths, commons, 
and wayside wastes. 
These unions might also, through their Central Committees, bring 
about desirable improvements in publication, but it would perhaps not 
be desirable, in all cases, to go in for joint publication. In this, as in 
other matters connected with the unions, co-operation and not uniformity 
must be our aim. 
Union Committees.—Each union would need a general secretary and a 
committee, all of whom should be intimately acquainted with methods of 
work and the best ambitions of local societies. 
1896. D 
