February, 1911.] Presidential Address. XXXVvii 
fore that during the current year the change will be carried into 
effect; and that soon after, if not at the next’ Annual Meet- 
ing, my successor will be able to greet you ina new and more 
commodious edifice. It will always be a source of much grati- 
fication to myself that it was during my term of office that this 
important step was taken, one which, I am convinced, will 
result in much benefit to the Society ; and that I was privileged 
to assist in bringing the matter to what I trust will prove a 
successful conclusion. 
A new departure of this magnitude suggests to my mind 
certain observations on the future progress of the Society (long 
may it continue to flourish!), which I may perhaps venture to 
put forward now, since this is the last occasion on which, in all 
probability, I shall have the opportunity of addressing you. 
For many years after the foundation of the Society, its publi- 
cations were almost the only medium through which the re- 
searches of those who gave themselves to the study of the 
science and literature of this vast country could be given to the 
world ; at least this is true of the greater portion of India. 
that the Society should, to that extent, be deprived of some of 
its importance. First the Geologists, then the Meteorologists, 
Zoologists, Botanists, and Archeologists, who formerly contri- 
buted much valuable matter to the pages of our Journal, estab- 
lished their own Records and Memoirs, and for some years the 
the Society, for the publication of the results of enquiries into 
the ancient civilization and history of India must be regarded 
as of the utmost importance ; yet I do not see why the equally 
important results of scientific research should be comparatively 
neglected. The scientific Departments publish the facts; but 
usually so wrapped up in technical language or 'n such minute 
detail that, to the uninitiated, they become either wearisome 
or perhaps hardly intelligible. And yet it 1s quite possible to 
present the essential facts brought to light by these investiga- 
tions in such a form, that even those who are unacquainted 
with the methods or with the peculiar dialect employed may be 
instructed and interested. Our lectures constitute a useful step 
in this direction ; but I should like to see an attempt made to 
formed in this country, so that the information now often 
buried beneath masses of statistics and other dry and uninter- 
