CORRKSPONDING SOCIETIES. 429 



in the future as in the past form a just criterion of the intelligence and 

 civilisation of every country. 



It is hoped therefore that every, citizen will prize the freedom of the road, 

 will be zealous in insisting on a higher standard of construction and maintenance, 

 and resist any attempts by whomsoever made to subordinate to political or rival 

 interests the future development and use of our highways. 



Sir Edward Brabrook, C.B. (Balham Antiquarian and Natural History 

 Society), proposed a vote of thanks to the President for his eloquent and in- 

 teresting address. He also congratulated Lord Montagu on his share in a 

 patriotic movement that had done much to restore to public enjoyment the 

 beauties of the roads of the country, and of the scenery which they opened up. 



Mr. William Whitaker, F.R.S. (Croydon Natural History and Scientific 

 Society and Essex Field Club), seconded the motion. 



The Rev. J. 0. Bevan (Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club) suggested that 

 an expression of sympathy should be given to the President in regard to t^ie 

 anxiety he must feel at the serious illness of Lady Montagu. 



The motion wae carried unanimously. 



INIr. H. M. Platnauer (Museums' Association) pointed out that at present 

 there was too much very heavy traffic on our roads, mostly hanled by traction 

 engines, which was spoiling the roads and seriously shaking small houses. All 

 such traffic, he said, should be put upon rails. 



Dr. F. A. Bather, F.R.S. (Wimbledon Natural History Society) asked the 

 President to express his opinion as to the value of tramways as road-users in 

 comparison with other forms of road transport. 



Mr. Thomas Sheppard (Yorkshire Naturalists' Union and Hull Geologiral 

 Society) proposed that the following resolution from the Conference should be 

 forwarded to the Chancellor of the Exchequer : — 



That the Conference of Delegates of the Corresponding Societies of the 



British Association asks that the taxes derived from motor spirit and 



carriages should once more be ear-marked for the improvement of the roads, 



and nrges that in future these taxes be entirely devoted to road 



improvement. 



Mr. James E. Liddiard (Bournemouth Naturalists' Science Society) seconded 

 the motion, which was carried. 



The President said that omnibuses were cheaper to run than tramways, 

 but that mnch money was invested in the latter, and that they could not be 

 scrapped, and that all means of transport which would bring workers in and out 

 of towns must be utilised. 



Dr. J. Owens (Honorary Secretary to the Advisory Committee on Atmo- 

 spheric Pollution) then read a paper on ' Atmospheric Pollution.' 



Atmos'pheric Pollution. 



It is hardly necessary to devote much time to bringing out the importance 

 of the subject of Atmospheric Pollution; it may be well, however, to indicate 

 briefly a few of the aspects of the question which make it one we cannot afford 

 to neglect. Perhaps the most important effect which atmospheric pollution 

 produces is on the health of people. We are not designed to breathe impaire 

 air; although provision is made in the respiratory apparatus for discharging 

 solid impurities, this is not capable of coping with the large quantities of 

 impurity present in the air of some of onr cities. 



It is now well recognised that all transmissible diseases are conveyed by 

 means of solid particles, and, speaking generally, it may, I think, be said that 

 the importance of solid suspended matter in the atmosphere is vastly greater 

 than that of gaspous impurities. Arising out of this, the need for reconsidering 

 the basis upon which the air required for ventilating buildings is fixed should 

 be recognised. 



Other important effects to be considered are : The obstruction of light due 

 to suspended impurities, and the effect on buildings and vegetation of the deposit 

 from the air. 



In relation to aviation, the question of visibility is of vital importance, as 

 well as the effect in producing fogs, and these aspects of the question call for 

 careful investigation. 



