CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES. 421 



Such considerations as arise in local studies of the types suggested 

 afford examples of the special value that attaches to co-operative records 

 made by groups of observers working on concerted or well-recognised lines. 



Maps and Plans. 



Not only in studies of the types I have been discussing, but in many 

 other departments of science that come under review here, maps and 

 plans play a part — in some a large part. In many sections of field work 

 it happens that the record of an observation is — to say the least of it — 

 greatly facilitated by the use of a map or by making a rough sketch of a 

 position with well-marked points of reference. Again, a good map can 

 give a great deal of information to one who can read it fully. There are, 

 however, many who understand the map in a general way, but have 

 stopped their understanding of it just short of the point at which they 

 could get from the map all the assistance it can give. The progress in 

 map-reading required for this is really a very small thing. I therefore 

 suggest that it would be worth while for a society to arrange to give 

 guidance in map-reading to any of its members who wish to have it. I 

 can say with confidence that a small measure of help would go a long 

 way to fit a man to mark on the map exactly the point on which he stands, 

 and to read accurately what the map can tell of his immediate surroundings. 

 Once so equipped he could, if he wished, advance rapidly in map work. 



With or without such a start I suggest that every active member of 

 a scientific society should possess at least one ' quarter sheet ' of the 

 ' 6 inches to a mile ' Ordnance Survey Map of a part of his area with 

 which he is familiar. The possession of that single small sheet would be 

 a pleasure, its study on the ground a delight, and the amount of clearness 

 and interest with which it clothed his previous general idea a revelation. 

 I would press upon those who really know maps that they have an oppor- 

 tunity of being real benefactors to others who have only a nodding 

 acquaintance with them, or, let us say, have used them only in an 

 elementary way for motoring. 



Records. 



I wish to draw attention to the keeping of local society records, and 

 as I have been speaking of maps I may point out that some categories 

 of records ought, as a matter of course, to be registered on the appropriate 

 ' 6 inches to a mile map.' Of this kind are observations which are or 

 may become of use on any question of precise locality, as for local distribu- 

 tion maps— for instance : botanical maps ; old habitations, ruins, founda- 

 tions, lines of track, and indeed any object of antiquarian interest ; local 

 photographic records, noting, in the case of these, the position of the 

 camera and the direction of view — these records should also include local 

 phenomena of interest, whether they are fleeting, recurring or continuing. 



I am aware that the importance of such local photographic records is 

 now generally appreciated, but it is left for local societies to make sure 

 that some central list of them is maintained with a set of record copies. 



After all, when one speaks of the records of a scientific society, the 

 reference is generally to written and printed records. This reference at 

 once brings on the stage that great bugbear— the cost of printing. This 



