Minutes of Proceedings. li 



remaining subjects, Zoology and Ethnology, I have no information. 

 Perhaps in the case of these also the compilation has in part been 

 accomplished. It is surely not too much to expect that present 

 members of the Society who are interested in Zoology and Ethnology 

 will take the matter up, and see what can yet be done. The subject 

 of Ethnology, I should infer from the records, was once in far higher 

 favour than it is now. On May 29, 1878 — again more than nine- 

 teen years ago, be it observed — a Mr. Prosser formally moved and 

 carried a resolution to the effect that "it is desirable to form a 

 section of the South African Philosophical Society, to be entitled 

 the Ethnological Section, which, while paying attention to Ethno- 

 logy generally, will devote itself specially to the work of the preser- 

 vation of Bushman paintings and other Bushman remains." This 

 I naturally found a little interesting, and I immediately classed Mr. 

 Prosser as a man and a brother. I regret to say, however, that his 

 zeal must very soon have been quenched. The section actually 

 came into existence, and appointed a separate secretary ; but almost 

 the whole work that was ever done consisted in reporting once for 

 all that it had been found impossible to do anything. Mr. Prosser 

 was clearly before his time. I am still trying hard to believe that 

 this is not the case with me ; but after another score of years some 

 amateur with similar leanings will be better able to pass judgment 

 on the point. 



A third and last suggestion is made mainly in the interest of 

 working members, that is to say authors of papers and country 

 members, but all others would unquestionably also profit by its 

 adoption. It is well known that the contributor of an original paper 

 is always anxious, and justly so, to have it printed and published 

 at the earliest possible moment, and as the number of workers 

 increases, this anxiety will naturally become greater. Even as 

 matters at present stand, the first question an investigator puts 

 to himself when his manuscript is ready is as to the medium of 

 publication, and there is no more important consideration in 

 bringing him to a decision than the probable date when his work 

 will see the light. Now, even after a recent resolution of the 

 Council in regard to the avoidance of delay in publication, it is 

 to be feared that we can offer very little inducement to authors 

 in this particular. Again, let us consider the position of the 

 country member, meaning by this the member who finds it im- 

 possible to attend the monthly meetings. The return which such 

 a member receives for his annual subscription is at present nothing 

 very substantial, consisting mainly, one would think, in an occa- 

 sional glow of virtuous feeling caused by the thought that he is 



