-~] 
~) 
CORRESPONDING SOCIETIES, 25 
risen to 49. In 1906, when an additional class of corresponding societies had 
been created, they rose again to 72. In 1912 and 1913, when only those 
delegates who were present at a Conference were recorded, with the societies 
they represented, the figures are 52 and 55 respectively. This shows actually 
a progressive improvement throughout the whole period in the interest taken 
in the annual Conference and its work. In the same period the list of 
societies enrolled under the rules as Corresponding Societies is: in 1886, 36; in 
1887, 38; in 1896, 66; in 1906, 80; in 1912 and 1913, 114 and 107. Thus the 
system set up in 1884, as since modified from time to time, seems to have 
obtained at least the success of an increasing numerical support for the idea 
of co-ordination of local scientific work through such a central body as the 
British Association. As regards the discussions at the Conferences and the 
various suggestions made, as well as the work done centrally in the endeavour to 
promote the co-ordinated activity of local societies, one is struck in reading 
through the annual Reports, as published from 1886 onwards, with their great 
value and interest. In every form, and with all possible suggestions, and a 
mass of valuable practical knowledge, those discussions have been carried 
on through the whole period. If the fruits of this consideration of the possi- 
bilities of the case had been at all in proportion to the labour and ability 
bestowed on the elucidation of the various subjects discussed, the advance in 
the utility to science of the local societies would be very great indeed. In 1904 
the Chairman of the Conference, in reviewing the situation at that date, 
remarked that the results of the labours of the Conferences of the Delegates of 
Corresponding Societies ‘have scarcely been commensurable with the expectations 
of those who instituted this body, or with the possibilities of the situation.’ 
Now, ten years later, and speaking as one of those who took part in the creative 
stage of the present system, I am obliged to adopt the same opinion. It is 
certain that this system has been built up with care, and with a cordial desire 
to make it an efficient and helpful machine for the purposes contemplated so far 
as the officers of the British Association are concerned, and with the active and 
zealous assistance of the members of the Corresponding Societies Committee. 
It seems equally clear that, scattered throughout the membership of the local 
societies, are a considerable number of persons who have welcomed the efforts of 
the British Association in this direction, and have done their best to support 
them from the side of their societies. From the very beginning the weakness of 
the secretarial staff of the local societies has apparently been the difficulty in 
the way of success. It is hard to see how this difficulty can be got over. It is 
probable that here and there the local work of societies has been directed and 
stimulated, chiefly, no doubt, through the personal action of the delegates 
themselves. 
Having regard to the value of many of the addresses and communications 
submitted to the annual Conferences, covering as they do the whole ground of 
the possible useful activity of local societies, it would seem almost worth con- 
sidering whether the publication of a selection from these materials, grouped in 
some systematic form, could not be undertaken, so as to create a kind of code for 
the guidance of local societies in their activity. 
One very valuable and important work carried on in connection with the 
grouping of Corresponding Societies is that of the compilation of an annual 
Index List of their scientific publications. I endorse the observations on this 
point which are to be found in the Report of the Corresponding Societies 
Committee for 1898: ‘As the great majority of the societies, the main purpose 
of whose existence is local scientific investigation, are now on the list of 
Corresponding Societies, the Index of their most important papers approximates 
to completeness more and more each year as a record of local work.’ Whatever 
else may happen, it is to be hoped that this annual List may continue to be 
prepared and published by the British Association. 
IT am far from thinking that the attention called to the relations of local 
societies to general scientific work during the long series of meetings held since 
1882 has been useless or ineffective. I believe that in general much good has 
been done throughout the country, and I am sure there is much yet to do in 
this direction. 
Dr. J. G. Garson said that since the Conference had been officially recognised 
