498 The Devonshire Association. [Oct., 



towns of the county, the number of members and of papers have 

 steadily increased, and several distinguished men have accepted 

 the office of President. In short, the Association is not only well 

 established in the county, but it is also fully and cordially recog- 

 nized by the scientific world generally. 



We proceed to give a brief sketch of its history, constitution, 

 and operations, believing that there would be little or no difficulty, 

 and very great advantage, in establishing kindred institutions in the 

 other counties of the kingdom. 



Being limited to a single county, it was decided not to restrict 

 it to science. It was accordingly named " The Devonshire Asso- 

 ciation for the Advancement of Science, Literature, and Art," and 

 its objects were declared to be " To give a stronger impulse and 

 a more systematic direction to scientific inquiry in Devonshire; 

 and to promote the intercourse of those who cultivate science, lite- 

 rature, or art, in different parts of the county." There can be no 

 doubt that this decision was wise, as it was calculated to enlist a 

 greater number of members, and to secure more numerous and a 

 greater variety of papers, whilst it enabled men who might other- 

 wise regard themselves as unqualified, to accept the office of Pre- 

 sident. 



The number of members has steadily increased from 69 in 1862 

 to little short of 300 at present; and almost every part of the 

 county is represented by them. 



Each member pays ten shillings annually, or a life composition 

 of five pounds, and is entitled to tickets of admission for himself 

 and a lady, as well as to a copy of the annual ' Transactions.' Not 

 only has this small sum been found sufficient to cover all expenses, 

 but at the meeting held on July 26th, 27th, and 28th, of the 

 present year (1870), under the presidency of Mr. J. A. Eroude, 

 the eminent historian, the treasurer reported a balance in hand of 

 upwards of ninety pounds, besides property, in the form of ' Trans- 

 actions ' in stock, to the amount of upwards of one hundred and 

 sixty pounds. 



As the Association was not established for the purpose of accu- 

 mulating money, there is reason to hope that it may very shortly 

 be in a position to vote small sums for the purpose of conducting 

 or aiding researches within the county. Devonshire, it is well 

 known, is rich in bone caverns and barrows which would well repay 

 investigation, and its moorlands abound in megalithic structures, of 

 which at least accurate models should be made and placed in the 

 museums at Exeter, Plymouth, Torquay, and Barnstaple. 



The Presidents are ineligible for re-election. The following is 

 the entire list, as well as of the dates and places of meeting, from 

 the beginning : — 



