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CORRESPONDING SOCIETIES. 335 
of the French Association for the Advancement of Science. To this Mr. 
H. D. Actanp proposed an amendment that the Conference of Delegates 
should first meet in London and carry out a part of the business of the Con- 
ference and then adjourn to Havre. This was seconded by Mr. Bryan CoRcoRaNn 
(Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society). On being put to the vote 
the amendment was lost, eight voting in favour and fifteen against. No other 
amendment being brought forward, Mr. Hopkinson’s proposal was put to the 
meeting and carried as a motion to be brought up at the meeting of the Com- 
mittee of Recommendations by the Vice-Chairman of the Conference. 
In the absence of the Rev. William Johnson, who was to open a discussion 
on ‘The Relationship of Local Museums with Educational Institutions,’ the 
Conference was adjourned to the 16th. 
Mr. Johnson wrote later that an accident to his hand prevented him from 
attending the meeting of the Association. 
Seconp Mestina, Tuesday, September 16. 
In the absence of the Chairman the Vice-Chairman took the chair ad interim, 
the Corresponding Societies Committee being represented by the Rev. J. O. 
Bevan, Sir Edward Brabrook, Mr. W. P. D. Stebbing, and Mr, W. Mark Webb. 
The CHarrman reported that at the meeting of the Committee of Recom- 
mendations he had brought forward the Conference’s resolution that it should 
hold its meetings next year at Havre, and that after discussion the matter had 
been referred to. the General Committee. 
The Rev. J. O. Bryan (Woolhope Naturalists’ Field Club) thought that there 
might be an informal meeting of the Delegates in Australia, and that the official 
meetings might take place afterwards in London. 
Mr. W. Marx Wess (Selborne Society), asking if there was any rule prevent- 
ing the Conference from meeting in Australia, was informed that it met in 
Toronto on the occasion of the British Association’s visit there in 1897. 
Mr. H. D. Actanp suggested that Delegates should be sent to Australia not to 
hold a Conference but to keep in touch with the work of the Association. He 
was hoping to go to Australia. 
Mrs. Juuian (Torquay Natural History Society) having spoken in agreement 
with the remarks of the last speaker, the meeting decided, on the motion of 
Mr. A. W. Oxz, seconded by Mr. W. M. Wess, to proceed with the next 
business. 
The following subject for discussion was brought forward by Mr. A. R. 
Horwoop (Leicester Museum) :— 
Scientific Societies and the Control of Plant Extermination. 
The resolution which this Conference passed last year relative to the aim (if 
not the work) of the Plant Protection Section of the Selborne Society has 
encouraged and stimulated the Section to further endeavours, 
As a consequence an appeal was made to the scientific societies in this country 
to support the work in a definite way by the appointment of a corresponding 
secretary who might keep in touch with the Section and continuously advance 
the work locally, in the special way demanded by each district. 
The necessity of some such method of decentralisation had long been 
apparent to the Section working from headquarters in London. It was felt 
impossible for the Committee, however large and energetic, to do what a body 
of willing and intelligent workers in each district might do locally. Indeed, 
the organisation of and correspondence with such a body of workers is in itself 
a large enough task, together with the planning of the modus operandi for 
securing the aims of the Section. For many reasons men on the spot with local 
knowledge and interest are essential to the success of this or any other wide- 
spread and far-reaching movement. 
As a result of the appeal made to some 300 secretaries (though I have not 
full or final details as yet, as reports have to come in later from a large number 
of societies) nearly 100 corresponding secretaries have been or will be appointed. 
As in the British Isles there are 117 counties (as defined by H. L. Watson, 
including vice-counties), one might be disposed to stop here, but since some 
counties have no efficient societies, whilst others, e.g., Yorkshire, have a great 
