488 TRANSACTIONS OP SECTION L 



and publication of technical papers, than by undertaking the investigation of 

 problems themselves. • _ 



Among the earlier Presidential Addresses of this Section some have laid 

 stress on the importance of the recognition by the State of geography in educa- 

 tion ; others have represented the great part which the Geographical Societies 

 have played in supporting and advancing the subject ; others again have urge<l 

 the fuller recognition of geography by Educational Institutions. I would on 

 this occasion attach especial importance to the prosecution of serious research by 

 individuals in any branch of the subject that is accessible to them, to the dis- 

 cussion of the results of such work by others of like interests, and to the pub- 

 lication of such studies as having a real value in promoting the advancement of 



Before the President's Address the following Papers were read :— 

 1. The Map on Ihc Scale oj 1:1,000,000. Bij A. R. Hinks, F.R.S. 



2. The Representation oj the Distribution of the Population on Maps. 



By B. C. Wallis. 



The purpose of this short paper is to introduce different methods of repre- 

 senting upon maps facts concerning population, and to elicit opinions and 

 criticisms upon these methods in order to arrive at some conclusions which may 

 be useful in connection with the million map. 



It has been suggested that the million map might be used to show (i) the 

 densitv of the population' and (ii) the distribution proportionally of the various 

 ]5eople's of Europe. For the purpose of illustration the Hungarian portion of the 

 Jjucla-Pest sheet of the million map has been chosen as it probably presents the 

 greatest difficulties in this connection. The facts Avliich are demonstrated are 

 based upon the Hungarian Census for 1910 and upon three administrative 

 divisions of the country : (a) the counties, (6) towns with an organised council, 

 and (c) municipal towns. These legal divisions are not to be depended upon in 

 connection with the i>opulatiort as is shown upon the maps. 



Maps A and B show density of population. 



Maps C and D show the distribution of the peoples. 



Map A indicates density of population by the usual methods. 



]\Iap B is due to a suggestion from Mr. A. R. Hinks ; the principles of con- 

 tour lines are applied to population. It is imagined that in each administrative 

 area the population is evenly distributed and that the density value when located 

 at the centre of the division can be treated in the same fashion as a spot height 

 in contouring. The net result is that the gradation of density is suggested in a 

 continuous fashion and that abinipt changes and sharp angles in the boundary 

 lines tend to disappear. 



It is desired that an opinion be expressed upon the relative merits of Map B 

 compared with Map A. 



Map C takes each nationality and shows its distribution as a percentage of 

 the total population by the method of Map B. It is not easy to show more than 

 three nationalities in any area, and this map does not indicate the presence of 

 small minorities. 



Map D shows the complete facts numerically and is less pictorial though 

 more detailed than Map C. 



It is desired that an opinion be expressed : firstly, upon Map C in comparison 

 with the usual maps of this type; and, secondly, upon Map D in comparison 

 with Map C. 



