THIRD ORDINARY MEETING. 37 



greater part of the work which the Royal Society originally under- 

 took, while that body reserves to itself the consideration of questions 

 involving the general principles of science and leaves matters of de- 

 tail to the special societies for the cultivation of the different branches 

 of science. Yet, in the Royal Society itself, the principle of division 

 of labour is by no means neglected. As early as 1664 eight com- 

 mittees were formed for the purpose of promoting the propagation of 

 natural knowledge in different directions. With some few modifica- 

 tions these committees still exist and form part of the machinery of 

 the Society. These committees comprise : — 



Mathematics, Astronomy, Physics and Meteorology, Chemistry, 

 Mineralogy and Geology, Botany and Zoology. 



Each of these committees has its own chairman and secretary. The 

 Royal Society of Canada, a body fashioned to some extent on the 

 lines of the Royal Society of London, although in other respects it 

 rather follows the model of the French Academy, is divided into sec- 

 tions with special officers, each charged with the care of certain allied 

 subjects. The British Association is similarly divided into sections 

 as follows : — 



A. — Mathematical and Physical Science. 



£. — Chemical Science. 



0. — Geology. 



D. — Biology. 



U. — Geography. 



F. — Economic Science. 



G. — Mechanical Science. 

 The American Association has a similar division as follows : — 



A. — Mathematics and Astronomy. 



B. — Physics. 



C. — Chemistry . 



D. — Mechanical Science. 



U. — Geology and Geography. 



F. — Biology. 

 - G. — Histology and Microscopy. 



H. — Anthropology. 



/. — Economic Science and Statistics. 

 Now, it seems to me that some such divisions might with great 

 advantage be introduced into the Canadian Institute, and I would 

 venture to suggest for your consideration the outlines of such a 



