35 
The President and Council of the Yorkshire Philosophical 
Society desire to urge upon all members of the Society the 
desirability of aiding the work of the Ethnographical Com¬ 
mittee of the British Association in the way suggested in the 
following schedule. 
It will be noticed that attention is directed chiefly to the 
inhabitants of districts where the population has long been 
stationary and little changed by the movements of modern life. 
It is advisable to obtain physical measurements and photographs 
of individuals who appear typical in their respective districts, 
individuals selected, if possible, from among those whose fore¬ 
fathers have dwelt in the neighbourhood as far back as can be 
traced. With the physical peculiarities of the people it is 
desired to correlate their dialect, their history as exhibited by 
archaeological remains, and their manners and customs^ 
superstitions and other traditions comprehended under the 
convenient expression of Folklore. 
The enquiry has already been taken up with earnestness 
in some districts, and valuable results have been obtained ; 
and it is believed that, when once its importance to the 
right understanding of the history and characteristic of the 
races of these islands is fully appreciated, little difficulty will 
be found in organising measures in every county for collecting 
and collating the information. 
This work is not only intrinsically useful, but it is a task 
that should be undertaken as soon as possible. Migration, 
increased means of inter-communication and a uniform system 
of education are all potent causes tending to destroy local 
pecularities. In too many cases already the language and 
traditions of the past have been irrevocably lost. It is, 
therefore, most advisable that all who are in a position to make 
the observations indicated should do so without delay. 
The Ethnographical Committee will be pleased to arrange for 
the loan of a set of instruments, if desired, to any member of 
the Society who may undertake the physical measurements. 
If the procuring of photographs be found to involve undue 
