454 CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES 



lap of the gods ; but I do say that the natural history outlook demands from 

 the observer himself accuracy, persistent or continuous observation, careful 

 recording, and in the end that rigid consideration which leads from facts 

 to general truths : that is a training of which the world stands badly in need 

 to-day, for it leads to uncompromising adherence to the issue of carefully 

 sifted facts. To the societies themselves the natural history outlook will 

 bring, is indeed bringing, new vigour, and with it that satisfaction and 

 honest pride which go with the enlarging, even in modest degree, of the 

 bounds of knowledge. 



Following the President's address, a communication by Mr. J. 

 Ramsbottom, O.B.E., on The biological work of Natural History Societies 

 and its co-ordijiation, was considered and discussed ; and arising there- 

 from it was resolved : 



That the Conference recommend to the Council of the British 

 Association the desirability of establishing through its Corresponding 

 Societies Committee a close liaison with the Association for the Study 

 of Systematics in relation to General Biology with a view to the 

 Corresponding Societies undertaking work bearing upon systematic 

 problems. 



Monday, September 6. 



Prof. F. E. Weiss, F.R.S. — What Dovedale means to the botanist. 



The beautiful valley of the Dove was suggested to the National Parks 

 Committee appointed by the Government as a suitable area for a national 

 park or nature reserve. This suggestion was supported by competent 

 scientific opinion and by a large number of administrative authorities, and 

 the importance of its preservation, both for its scientific amenities and for 

 the enjoyment of the public, has been very widely recognised. Despite the 

 inaction of the Government, which has not taken any steps to implement 

 the recommendations of its Committee, the preservation of Dovedale and of 

 the adjacent Manifold Valley has in recent years been brought nearer to 

 realisation by munificent gifts of considerable stretches of land in and around 

 the area which have been handed over to the National Trust. Fore- 

 most amongst these benefactors is Sir Robert McDougall, who has purchased 

 and donated to the public considerable portions along and near the banks 

 of the Dove as ■well as extensive areas of the adjacent Manifold Valley. 

 The Pilgrim Trust has been equally generous and Mr. Hodgson Kerfoot 

 and the Imperial Chemical Industries have come forward to complete 

 the acquisition of further stretches of the valley. The London Midland 

 and Scottish Railway Company have also presented the site of the dismantled 

 Manifold Valley Light Railway and the Staffordshire County Council 

 proposes to spend £6,000 on transforming the track into a public path. 

 If the apathy of the Government could be overcome by public pressure and 

 the land between Dovedale and the Manifold Valley could be scheduled 

 for the purpose of establishing a national park, one of the ideals of nature 

 lovers might be realised by securing for the public in perpetuity one of the 

 favourite beauty spots of the Midlands and North of England. 



Even if the complete scheme for a national park remains as something 



