404 CORRESPONDING SOCIETIES. 



Geological Atlas,' ba^ed on Reynolds' atlas, with plates of characteristic fossils, 

 etc. In this Emslie's plates were still being used. Stanfords issued a ' second ' 

 edition of their atlas in 1907, and a ' third ' {actually the sixth) edition in 

 1914. In 1913 was issued a ' Photographic Supplement ' to the atlas. These 

 different editions with their varying county maps are occasionally to be picked 

 up at a reasonable figure, and the m.aps of any particular county might be 

 exhibited in order to show the additions made to geological knowledge from 

 time to time. 



In urging the delegate, therefore, to collect, vigorously, while there is still 

 an opportunity, I do so with every confidence that future students will be 

 grateful for the efforts made. Few people yet realise the valuable information 

 to be derived from an examination of a series of maps of any particular area. 



It is quite possible at times that maps may be obtained which do not bear 

 any date. In many cases the only clue to the date of the publication is in a 

 review, or in the advertisements on the cover of the ' Geological Magazine ' or 

 other publications, though unfortunately the almost general practice of destroying 

 the covers when binding the volumes results in much useful information being 

 lost. 



Except in a few rare cases even the publishers do not keep any particulars 

 of the dates of the appearance of the various editions of maps they issue, nor 

 can they supply lists of their own maps. 



I trust in the preceding remarks the scientific value of the collection and 

 study of maps has been demonstrated. In recent years there has been occa- 

 sional evidence of their proper appreciation, but it should be more systematic 

 and continuous. Certain districts have received careful and proper attention, 

 others and far greater tracts of our islands do not seem to have received any. 

 Without attempting to give a complete list of recent publications on the subject 

 I may mention, as admirable examples of work : the Reigate sheet of the 

 one-inch Ordnance Survey; 'A Study in the Geography of the Surrey Hills,' 

 by Ellen Smith, published by A. & C. Black, London, in 1910, which is accom- 

 panied by six large maps; and a similar work issued by the same house in 

 1911, entitled ' Highlands of South-west Surrey : a Geographical Study in Sand 

 and Clay,' by E. C. Matthews, with seven maps. In addition, there are the 

 regional surveys such as those carried out by Mr. C. E. Fagg, of the Croydon 

 Society, and a ' Regional Study of North-east England,' by C. B. Fawcett, in the 

 ' Geographical Teacher ' issued a few weeks ago. Of a more specialised character, 

 but still indicating progress in the evolution of mapping, are the Botanical 

 Survey sheets of Yorkshire by Drs. Smith and Woodhead, and similar publi- 

 cations relating to different areas in Scotland. 



That more attention should be paid to maps is shown by the volumes which 

 have recently appeared dealing entirely with the question of reading them. 

 Probably at no period in the world's history have the advantages of accurate 

 cartography been so vital as during the past few sad years, when it might 

 safely be said that the future of the world's history largely depended upon 

 the care expended in the preparation of the maps of North-west Europe. 



Two centuries ago it was stated ' Most Students in Geographic take more 

 delight to contemplate the remotest and most barbarous Countries of the earth, 

 than lightly to examine the Descriptions of their owne.' I am afraid that 

 the same remarks applied to the years which have since passed, but we now 

 seem to be reaching the time when in our schools, in our Scientific Societies, 

 and in the country generally, more attention is being paid to the geographical 

 problems at home, and these can probably best be solved by an examination of 

 our country's maps : this examination being facilitated if collections are made 

 at convenient centres in various parts of the British Isles. 



