264 Annwersary Address by Sir A. Geikie. — [ Nov. 30, 
seismological stations was established over the face of the globe. To the 
wide experience, great practical skill, and unwearied enthusiasm of our 
colleague, Dr. John Milne, the establishment and maintenance of that 
network of stations have been entirely due. With but little financial 
assistance from outside, he has borne the whole burden of the organisation, 
as well as of the voluminous correspondence which it entails with all parts 
of the world. The valuable service which he has thus rendered to the study 
of earthquakes has been universally recognised, and there is a widespread 
conviction that the system of observing stations which he has created is 
worthy of being made a national undertaking. The whole question of the 
future of seismology in this country must soon be seriously considered. 
Meanwhile, I would express my own personal hope that means will be found 
to place on a more permanent footing the work which Dr. Milne has 
originated and conducted, and to carry it on as successfully as in the past, 
but with an enlarged staff and more generous financial aid. 
The Fellows are aware that for many years past the Society, at the request 
of different departments of Government, has undertaken the investigation of 
various diseases with the view of ascertaining their cause, and, if possible, 
of suggesting methods of treatment and cure. Chief among these enquiries 
is that of the appalling disease Sleeping Sickness. From the Report of the 
Council it will be seen that, although much important information has been 
obtained in Uganda, the investigation has had to be extended beyond the 
limits that originally seemed to be requisite, and that probably much still 
remains to be done before the conditions can be definitely stated in which 
trypanosome diseases are spread in tropical Africa. The work of those 
enquirers who are busy in London endeavouring to discover an effective drug 
for the treatment of trypanosomiasis is still in progress, with results which 
are so far encouraging for further investigation. 
One of the most important statements in the Council’s Report is that 
which has reference to the Gassiot Committee and the future of Kew 
Observatory. The arrangement therein detailed was the subject of long and 
careful enquiry and discussion. The Gassiot Committee has now been 
reconstituted and enlarged so as to make it an effective scientific body of 
advice in regard to magnetic, seismological or other geophysical observations 
which are to be conducted under the direction of the Meteorological Office. 
Fellows of the Royal Society should be aware that they are divisible into 
two classes, those who were elected before 1878 and those who were elected 
after that year. The distinction is a pecuniary one. The older group paid 
£10 of entrance fee and an annual subscription of £4, which they still 
continue to pay. They are a dwindling band which now numbers only 57. 
