1888-89.] I3 1 



be done under both departments of our work than has yet 

 been attempted, and I have no hesitation in saying that as 

 an organisation we are in a good position for doing it. What 

 I feel is most wanted is not so much workers, as a more com- 

 plete development of our organisation, and the better utilis- 

 ation of the energy and skill within our borders. In natural 

 science this might take the form of a more systematic record- 

 ing of natural facts, and by workers as far as possible avoiding 

 paths of research that are perhaps already well trodden, or 

 which are being well investigated by others. This failing or 

 weakness is not confined to our club alone, but it seems to 

 have crept into all kindred societies, and strong efforts are 

 being made by many of them to systematise their resources. 

 A grand example of this is set us by the British Association in 

 their efforts to make the work done by provincial societies, 

 such as ours, available to the scientific world at large. What 

 is termed a corresponding society committee was formed for 

 tabulating all scientific papers read in the smaller societies, and 

 publishing their titles and other particulars in their voluminous 

 reports. This committee also suggests subjects in which they 

 ask the aid of provincial societies. For example, they ask 

 workers to take the temperature of the waters of lakes and 

 rivers, collect records regarding erratic blocks, sea-coast erosion, 

 life history of plants, and pre- historic remains. The secretary 

 of this comprehensive committee also requests photographs of 

 ancient monuments and other remains, also photographs of 

 geological sections, with, of course, short explanatory notes 

 in both cases. It is in this latter direction that I would en- 

 deavour to direct your attention this evening. Photography 

 is a comparatively new art-science, and the more recent in- 

 troduction of dry plates has so simplified it, and made it easily 

 available for field use, that it has suddenly sprung into pro- 

 minence, and taken a firm hold on the public taste. As one of the 

 popular and fascinating pursuits, archaeology, where truthful- 

 ness in delineating every detail is such an essential, is especially 

 a field in which photography can render aid. Our district — 



