64 : REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE.—1918, 
and particularly it is our function to preserve the field-naturalist observing 
the inter-relationships of natural phenomena in the open, rather than the 
technical operator working in the laboratory.’ I do not think that Mr. Roebuck 
need have been at such pains to disclaim the educational value of this work. 
There is no better training for a naturalist than observation in the field, 
and presumably even the members of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union are 
not all ready-made experts. Even if they have to pass an examination before 
being given a member’s card, still nature transcends any teaching and: the 
more one’s circle of knowledge spreads the wider are the limits to the unknown. 
No education is more solid and permanent than one founded on a first-hand 
acquaintance with hard facts, in the field no less than in the laboratory. 
If our societies wish to increase their educational force, let them follow 
the example of their Yorkshire colleagues. 
The third and last of the methods by which our societies work is the 
establishment and care of Museums. Some societies exist for this purpose 
alone, as the Norwich Museum Association and the Horsham Museum Society. 
Others have always regarded it as a primary function; such are the Ludlow 
Natural History Society and the Whitby Literary and Philosophical Society. 
Others again have begun with the collections accumulated by members, have 
gradually formed these into a private museum, then have thrown this open 
to the public under gradually diminishing restrictions, and finally have trans- 
ferred the whole to the town, either with the retention of a share in its 
government or completely. Such was the history of the Thurso Public Museum, 
founded by the Thurso Natural Science Association, and of the Dudley 
Geological Museum formed by the Dudley and Midland Geological Society. 
Whether as cause or consequence of relinquishing their museums, these two 
societies are now dead. In my list there are no less than 52 societies—more 
than a quarter—now actively responsible for museums, and in some cases 
museums of great reputation. ‘Still more societies have their headquarters at 
museums, and often help in the museum work. While it is well that museums 
should be placed on such a sound financial footing as a municipal rate can best 
supply, still it is desirable that an intimate connection should be maintained 
between the public museum or museums of a town and the various local 
societies. As an educational inst'ument the museum, if properly managed, is 
unsurpassed, Like the field and the laboratory it teaches by concrete objects, 
which make a more vivid impression than the words of a book or lecture. 
The lecture is only for one brief hour, the excursion demands an occasional 
holiday, but the museum teaches all the time. The museum forms a centre 
for the members of the society, serves to attract fresh members, and by 
its varied exhibits and special exhibitions should be making an ever fresh 
appeal to one or another class of the neighbouring population. But to this 
audience I need not emphasise the educational value of a properly conducted 
museum. All you have to do, if your society maintains a museum, is to 
see that it does conduct it properly. If you do not know what that means, 
come on to the Conference of the Museums Association and we will tell you. 
I have purposely given a mere sketch of these educational activities, for 
it is waste of breath to preach to the converted, and on this occasion it is I 
who wish to get advice from you. I may fittingly conclude with an extract 
from the Report of the South-Eastern Union for 1917:% ‘ We believe that 
one result of the war will be a stirring up of educational enthusiasm and 
activity, both nationally and locally. The S.E. Union of Scientific Societies 
and its individual affiliated societies are educational institutions. Each society 
can do much within its own area to quicken local interest in the geography 
and geology, the fauna and flora, the history and antiquities, and in the 
immediate and future civic problems and possibilities of the district.’ 
Yes—we can all do this, if we will only recognise our powers. And in 
these days, when one has powers of this kind it is a duty to exercise them. 
Sir Epwarp Brasroox (Balham and District Antiquarian and Natural 
History Society, and Lewisham Antiquarian Society), in proposing a vote 
ot thanks to the President, said that he spoke both as founder and first 
° 8.2. Naturalist, p. xxiii. 
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