350 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE. — 1920. 



such an Institution should be established within a University by private bene- 

 factions, although assistance might, as a consequence, be forthcoming from 

 national funds. The wide ramifications of Survey, Geodesy, and Geodynamics 

 into mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences call for their study in a 

 University, rather than in a Departmental, atmosphere. ' Undue withdrawal 

 from the Universities to official special Institutes of the men who show promise 

 of power would hamper their own development by removal from their proper 

 environment ; moreover, it would weaken the efficiency of the Universities as 

 the national nurseries of scientific ability and genius at a time when, by more 

 intimate relations with the Dominions and increased contact with other nations, 

 they ought to be preparing for the discharge of imperial functions.' ^ 



We trust that this conference of the Physical and Greographical Sections 

 will forward to the Council of the B.A. a resolution calling attention to the 

 urgency of this matter. 



1 Sir Joseph Larmor, 



