4. REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE.—1918, 
the Oxford University Observatory, has been instructed by Miss Caws 
in the work, and undertook the routine observations during the absence 
of Miss Caws from the middle of July to the middle of August. It is 
proposed to set up at least one Milne-Shaw seismograph at Oxford under 
Miss Bellamy’s care. Mr. James Walker has kindly placed at the disposal 
of the Committee the basement of the Clarendon Laboratory in which 
Mr. C. V. Boys made his gravity determination. The suitability of 
Oxford as an observing site can thus be tested under good conditions, 
and the results of the tests in a basement of that character may have 
an even wider application when plans for the future come to be discussed. 
Finally, since the departure of Mr. Burgess naturally reduces the 
working power of the staff, Miss Bellamy has been definitely transferred 
to the seismological service for the present. This transference was approved 
by the Board of Visitors of the Oxford University Observatory ‘as a 
rovisional and possibly temporary arrangement ’ which ‘is not to pre- 
sudice the resumption of her position as Assistant [in the University 
Observatory] at the conclusion of the experiment, should that be her 
wish.’ The nature of the experiment here mentioned has perhaps been 
sufficiently indicated, but a few words of explanation may be added for 
the sake of clearness. 
It was mentioned in last year’s Report that the question of the future 
of seismology had attracted the attention of more than one body. Besides 
our own Committee, the Geodetic Committee of Section A of our Associa- 
tion, in discussing plans for a Geodetic Institute, were led to consider 
the possible association, in such an institute, of other branches of Geo- 
physics with Geodesy. It was further mentioned that the Geodetic 
Committee had thereupon been suitably enlarged for the purposes of 
this discussion ; and it should perhaps have been added that they had 
been invited by the Conjoint Board of Scientific Societies to act as their 
Committee also, and to report to them as well as to the British Associa- 
tion—and had, with the approval of the Council of the British Association, 
accepted that invitation. 
Their report was in favour of the association of the three branches 
Geodesy, Seismology, and Tides in one Geophysical Institute. It was 
generally approved by the Conjoint Board, who appointed a small Execu- 
tive Committee to formulate definite plans. 
The transference of some of the Shide work to Oxford during the next 
year or two is definitely not intended to prejudice, or to embarrass in 
any way, the discussion of these plans. But since we are in several 
respects somewhat in the dark (e.g., as to the precise value of a basement 
as a site for instruments, of a University as a centre of organisation, &c.), 
the transference will provide experience which may possibly be of some 
assistance to the discussion. Meanwhile, it is also the simplest solution 
of the question of ways and means at the present rather difficult time. 
Instrumental. 
The wireless time-signals have been received at Shide regularly, with 
some interruptions owing to derangement of the apparatus. The transit 
lent by the Royal Astronomical Society has been in reserve, but not much 
used during the year. 
Towards the end of 1917 the temporary use of a * dug-out,’ constructed 
a a ee 
