1909.] 



Anniversary Address by Sir A. Geikie. 



163 



which had for so long a time reduced the effective strength of our garrisons 

 and fleets in the Mediterranean. The observers were fortunate in soon 

 discovering the source of the disease and were able to point out the steps to 

 be taken to cope with it. The result has been that this serious malady has 

 now been almost entirely banislied from the hospitals of Malta. At present 

 another Committee of the Society is engaged, at the request of the Home 

 Office, in studying the disease known as glassworkers' cataract. The India 

 Office likewise applies to us for advice, and we have an " Indian Government 

 Advisory Committee " and an " Observatories Committee," the duty of 

 which is to consider the reports of various public departments in the great 

 dependency, and to offer suggestions towards the improvement of their 

 scientific operations. 



Another sphere of the Royal Society's activity lies in the administration 

 of the various trusts which have been placed in our hands for scientific, 

 educational, and charitable purposes. Of these trusts, one of the most 

 important and useful is that known as the " Scientific Relief Fund," which 

 was started in 1859 by Mr. J. P. Gassiot, and has been increased by the 

 subsequent donations of many Fellows, notably Lord Armstrong, Sir 

 William Siemens, and Mr. Bentham, until it now has an invested capital of 

 about £18,000. The object of this fund is to aid, in an unobtrusive manner, 

 such scientific men or their families as may from time to time require 

 assistance. In the administration of its benefits regard is not confined to 

 our own members, but grants are freely made to applicants from outside 

 whose claims are supported by the President of some recognised scientific 

 society. 



One of the most honoured names in the history of the Royal Society is 

 perpetuated in the " Donation Fund," established by William Hyde Wollaston, 

 to which other benefactors have made additions. The interest of the invest- 

 ments thus provided furnishes the Council with the means of assisting 

 researches and furthering the general purposes of the Society. 



The " Gassiot Trust " has enabled us to aid in continuing the magnetical 

 and meteorological observations which have given our observatory at Kew a 

 world-wide reputation. This institution is now incorporated with the National 

 Physical Laboratory, under conditions securing that the observational work 

 for which it has long been so honourably known shall be maintained 

 unimpaired. 



P)y the " Mackinnon Research Fund " the Society has been enabled to 

 establish studentships in natural and physical science, including geology, 

 astronomy, and pathology, tenable by British subjects, after the completion 

 of their University training. These appointments, which are renewable. 



