240 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE.—1917. 
do something better than other nations. It is a good thing that all nations, 
Germany included, if you like, should have some point in which they are 
superior to others. We should look at the world as a whole, and not simply at 
ourselves as a particular part of it. We do that too little. 
Local societies form one point in which England excels. In local societies 
she certainly has a very proud position, and anything that tends to improve 
our local societies, and to give them a larger occupation that may bear on the 
public good and the public interest, is distinctly for the good of the nation as 
@ whole, as well as for that of the local societies. Do not let us think that 
there is nothing but science in the world. We must recognise that there are 
other things that are equally important and equally valued by other people. 
We have a right and a duty to stand up for science, to push science forward, 
but let us do it in the way that was advocated by the President yesterday as to 
agriculture and forestry; let us do it side by side, and not antagonistically. 
Let us work our science with literature, with art. 
I am sorry to agree that a great many scientific people are not able to write 
English ; but they are no worse than other people. You may say just the same 
of some politicians and artists, and even professional writers. Many profes- 
sional writers write most unmitigated nonsense occasionally. Our scientific 
men must not follow the precedent of other English classes in letting themselves 
down. I do not say that we are better than other people, but I certainly will 
not allow that we are worse. Scientific people are just an average of a 
more or less educated people. Certainly there is a distinct want in all classes 
of a full English education. That is one point that should be considered indis- 
pensable, and in the matter of science what we want to see and hope to see is 
all science, all knowledge, leading up to the perfection of what is really the 
highest science of all: that is, political science. 
The Rev. J. O. Bevan made the following remarks : There is one point in 
Mr. Webb’s paper to which I want to refer, and that is the interest of bird-life. 
Periodically I talk to our young people about the preservation of bird-life. 
Some few weeks ago a copy of a leaflet was sent to me just published by the 
Society for the Protection of Birds. I am rather sorry to see that this pamphlet 
is written on lines of special pleading, and it takes up those birds which are 
insect-destroyers. It does not mention the fact that a great many hirds are 
also grain-destroyers. It is rather an unfortunate leaflet to put into the 
hands of farmers. They say : ‘ We know a great many that are insect-destroyers, 
but we have to deal with a great many that are grain-destroyers. We want to 
know what is the difference between the two classes of birds; between the two 
classes of sparrows, for instance.’ I think it is very unfortunate that the society 
should put forth a pamphlet which in its effect is misleading and creates a certain 
amount of disfavour amongst the class to whom it would be addressed, that is, 
the farmers. 
Miss Crosrietp (Holmesdale Natural History Club) said: Local societies 
should make themselves an influence, by approaching local bodies, occasionally 
sending resolutions on any subjects on which the local societies feel strongly. 
The matter of the introduction of the metric system is one on which they might 
act. Not that they would immediately do very much good, but it would 
introduce a certain amount of discussion at Town Councils, and so ultimately 
advance something which would benefit the world. 
Miss Layarp asked whether it would be any good approaching the editors 
of local papers and asking that they should make room for popular scientific 
subjects; also when a paper is read, such as one at the Anthropological 
Institute. it would be good to send the pamphlet to be reviewed by the local 
paper. That might be brought forward before our local people. 
Dr. Batuer said : My experience recently, when I have an axe to grind, has 
been that local papers are only too glad to get an article on a scientific subject 
written by somebody who knows what he is talking about. I write about a 
great many subjects I do not know anything about, but I have the advantage 
of a great many friends who know more than I do, and I endeavour to make 
sure of my facts by making use of my friends. The thing is to write English 
which can be understood by the people. I find not the slightest difficulty in 
interesting people, simply speaking in an intelligible way. A good deal might 
