494, “ REPORT—1896. 
be produced with the assistance of a donation from the Council of the 
Royal Society. 
During the year further collections of Cellular Cryptogams have been 
received from Mr. Elliott, and their working out has been undertaken— 
the Musci by Mr. Gepp, the Hepatice by Dr. Stephani, the Lichenes by 
M. Wainio, and the Fungi by Miss Smith. 
The Committee recommends its reappointment, and applies for a grant 
of 50/. to aid it in the working out of the collections already made 
The Committee to be constituted as at present. 
The Position of Geography in the Educational System of the Country.— 
Interim Report of the Committee, consisting of Mr. H. J. MackINDER, 
(Chairman), Mr. A. J. Hersertson (Secretary), Mr. J. Scorr 
Kevtig, Dr. H. R. Mitt, Mr. E. G. Ravenstem, and Mr, Eur 
SOWERBUTTS. 
No account of the position of geography in our educational system can be 
adequate which is not based on a comparison with Mr. Scott Keltie’s well- 
known and admirable report on Geographical Education prepared for the 
Royal Geographical Society twelve years ago.! It is the best account we 
possess of the position of geography at that time, not only in our own, but 
also in other countries. 
Since it was published several changes for the better have to be 
chronicled, but unfortunately much of the criticism of the comparative 
neglect of geography in the schools and colleges of the nation that should 
foster it most remains only too true. Changes have occurred abroad as 
well as at home, and the Committee deem it advisable to compare the 
advances made in other lands with our own progress in recent years. 
The best way to do this would be to make personal inspections similar 
to those made by Mr. Keltie ; but as the Committee have no funds at 
their disposal, it has been necessary to carry on their work mainly by 
correspondence. Information as to the position of geography has been 
sought and obtained from educational authorities all over the country, and 
from those of other lands, and the Committee desire to acknowledge their 
indebtedness to many correspondents. 
In the case of secondary schools, the Committee have had the benefit 
of the inquiries carried on by the Geographical Association, whose object 
is to improve the position of geography in such schools. The Committee 
would draw attention to the memorial prepared by this Association, as a 
result of their investigation. This memorial has been sent to the principal 
examining bodies in the kingdom. 
The Committee would also emphasize the need for immediate improve- 
ment in the training of teachers in geography, and the increase and exten- 
sion of geographical work in the Universities, as recommended by the 
International Geographical Congress last year. 
The Committee consider it better to postpone the presentation of their 
extended report to the Association until next year, as all the documents 
necessary for a complete report have not yet come to hand. Accordingly 
they ask that they may be reappointed. 
1 Roy. Geog. Soc. Supp. Papers, vol. i. Part IV. 1885, 
