1909,] 



Anniversary Address by Sir A. Geikie. 



IGl 



iince of these duties fills up only part of its programme. In this respect 

 the Society differs from other learned bodies. It possesses a large and 

 diversified field of activities about which most even of our Fellows know- 

 little, and the world outside still less. Our Year Book, indeed, presents 

 a formidable list of the public functions which have devolved upon the 

 Eoyal Society. That list, however, conveys no adequate idea of the varied 

 and even exacting character of some of its items. But over and above the 

 functions therein enumerated, others of a less public kind make large 

 demands upon the time and thought of many of our fellows. 



In the first instance the general business of the Society is arranged by the 

 President and Officers, so that all matters of importance are placed before 

 the Council, wliich considers and decides them. As far as its limited numbers 

 will admit, the Council is so chosen as generally to secure that among its 

 members there shall be one or more representatives of each great division of 

 science and of all parts of the country. But it would be wholly impossible 

 for the Council to enter into the multifarious details of the wide range of 

 matters which are under its control. Hence it has been necessary to 

 delegate the consideration of these details to Committees selected from 

 among the Fellows most competent to deal with them. It may give some 

 idea of the extent of work to be done and the subdivision of labour that 

 has been found necessary, to state that at present the Standing Committees 

 and Boards exceed thirty in number, and that, in addition, Special Committees 

 are constantly being appointed for the consideration of questions that from 

 time to time arise. The deliberations of the Committees are reported to the 

 Council for its information or guidance. 



For many years past the Eoyal Society has acted as a kind of board 

 of advice to the Government of the country in matters wherein scientific 

 knowledge is required. In this informal capacity the Society has been 

 requested to undertake the conduct of many enquiries in the public interest. 

 It has been likewise entrusted with the administration of funds 'voted by 

 Parliament for the promotion of investigation. To illustrate the character of 

 this side of the Society's activity, let me cite some examples of the nature of 

 the tasks which have been confided to it. 



One of the most important of all these public functions is that of super- 

 vising the National Physical Laboratory. This great Institution, owing in 

 large measure to the representations made by distinguished Fellows of the 

 Society, was established by the State to secure accurate determinations and 

 measurements of all kinds. Its ultimate control has been vested in the 

 President and Council of the Eoyal Society, who nominate the Executive 

 Committee which is entrusted with the immediate management of the 



