170 



with magnetic inquiry and nautical research. We may therefore 

 hope that, with the blessing of Providence, it will return with a store 

 of knowledge valuable to the geographer, to the geologist, to the me- 

 teorologist, and to him also who studies the marvels of vegetable and 

 animal life. In addition to all this we may hope, that the main ob- 

 ject of the Expedition will be accomplished by additional light 

 thrown on the obscure problems which still attend the magnetism 

 of the earth, and that by such discoveries Captain James Clark 

 Ross may not only add to his own reputation and his country's 

 glory, but also give to the adventurous mariner increased facility 

 and security in traversing the pathways of the ocean. 



The Antarctic Expedition was not the only measure recommended 

 by the Royal Society and the British Association to Her Majesty's 

 Government. Another important recommendation, which had pre- 

 viously been brought forward by Baron Humboldt, was the establish- 

 ment of fixed magnetic observatories for the purpose of making si- 

 multaneous observations in different parts of our colonial possessions. 

 These recommendations have been readily acceded to, both by the 

 Government and by the Court of Directors of the East India Com- 

 pany, and probably, ere many months shall have elapsed, the obser- 

 vatories will be in full activity. This ready acquiescence in the 

 wishes of men of science appears to me highly creditable to our 

 statesmen ; and I feel confident, that while science belongs to no 

 party, on the other hand, every party in this country is fully aware 

 of the importance of science, and of the numerous benefits conferred 

 by it on the human race. 



I have stated, Gentlemen, that your Council had recourse to the 

 Scientific Committees for assistance in drawing up instructions for 

 the Expedition in different branches of knowledge; those com- 

 mittees, who were named only two years ago, were at first appa- 

 rently more a matter of form than substance ; they have now been 

 found capable of doing excellent service. Not only has your Coun- 

 cil consulted them on the questions already alluded to, but also, 

 observing that the several Committees are composed of the most 

 competent judges of the merits of the memoirs in the respective 

 departments of science communicated to the Society, they have, in 

 general, referred the papers to them to report upon, previously to 

 coming to a decision regarding their publication. 



The Royal Society, from its character of pursuing every branch 

 of physical science, is evidently in a different position from other 

 societies professing some one science alone. It may be reasonably 

 expected, that in the Botanical or Geological Society, for instance, 

 the whole Council should possess a certain degree of botanical or 

 geological knowledge. This, however, cannot be the case with us. 

 Our Council will comprise a few astronomers, a few zoologists, a 

 few botanists, and a few persons well acquainted with geology and 

 medicine ; but no single science can monopolize a large number of 

 its members. In difficult questions we have therefore felt that it is 

 more satisfactory to ourselves, and we think probably more so to 

 the general body of the society, and to those who have favoured us 



