ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. IX. 



A German Antarctic Expedition will be despatched in 1900, with naval 

 officers, and well equipped in every respect. But the work to be done is 

 very extensive, and must be divided. My German friends, therefore, 

 hope that a British Expedition will co-operate with them, agreeing to 

 take separate regions within the Antarctic circle. This is expected of us. 

 If we hold back, our country will lose credit. For the first time in our 

 history we shall shamefully resign our proud position, so long held, in 

 the fore-front of exploration and discovery. I appeal to the patriotic 

 feeling of all true Britons, and especially to those among my countrymen 

 who possess the power which great wealth supplies. 



Subscriptions to the National Antarctic Expedition will be received by 

 Messrs. Cocks Biddulph, 43, Charing Cross, S.W.; or at the office of the 

 Royal Geographical Society, 1 Savile Row, W., addressed to the President. 

 I am, Sir, your obedient servant, 



CLEMENTS R. MARKHAM, 



President of the Royal Geographical Society. 

 Subscriptions already promised or received. 

 Royal Geographical Society ... ... ... ... <£5,000 



Alfred Harmsworth, Esq <£5,000 



Sir Clements Markham, k.c.b. (President R.G.S.) ... ,£100 



Philip F. Walker, Esq ,£21 



John Prince, Esq <£10 



Mr. G. H. Knibbs, f.r.a.s., then read his address. 



The theme of the Anniversary Address delivered by the Presi- 

 dent, Mr. G. H. Knibbs, f.r.a.s., was the influence of Science 

 upon civilisation. After pointing out that the most abstract 

 forms of science played a far more significant part than was 

 generally realized, the origin and development of mathematics 

 from the time of the Egyptian Ahmes (1700 B.C.) to the present 

 day, was briefly drawn to the characteristic features of the 

 Egyptian, Greek, Hindu and Arabian, as well as the modern 

 influences on that science. The recent developments of applied 

 mathematics were also indicated, it being pointed out that physics, 

 engineering, and practical chemistry, which lie immediately behind 

 the material expression of modern civilisation, are indebted to the 

 more abstract forms of science for great assistance. A brief 

 sketch of the development also of chemistry was given, in which 

 it was shewn that the recondite elements of that science had great 

 practical value, and that the far-reaching powers of technical 



