of Edinburgh, Session 1870 - 71 . 
303 
generally in her Majesty’s dominions, regarding themselves as 
trustees of the grant, and accountable to the public for its due 
administration, as long as it shall be continued. 
“ To aid the CounciPin the distribution of the fund, a committee 
is annually appointed, consisting of the 21 members of the Coun¬ 
cil and 21 Fellows of the Society not on the Council, selected on 
account of their acquaintance with the different branches of science 
which the Society cultivates. All applications for giants from the 
fund are submitted to this committee, and the appropriations are 
made by the Council on the committee’s recommendation. 
“ The grants are commonly made to individuals engaged in 
some definite scientific investigation, chiefly to meet the expense 
of apparatus and materials, and not as remuneration for time or 
labour bestowed by the inquirer. To a less extent appropriations 
have been made for like purposes to scientific institutions, and, 
more rarely, to aid in the publication of valuable scientific results. 
“ The distribution of the fund is not restricted to Fellows of the 
Royal Society, nor have they any privilege in regard to it; men 
of science, whether belonging to the Society or not, and where- 
ever they may carry on their researches, in this country or the 
colonies, have an equal title to participate, and their claims have 
been in all cases equally recognised. 
“No part of the fund is applied towards the expenses of the 
Royal Society, and the Society neither asks nor would accept any 
remuneration for its stewardship. 
“ It is to be noted that, in 1864, the Council, finding that the 
unappropriated balance, together with other funds at their dis¬ 
posal, would meet the probable demands for scientific objects, 
repaid the grant of that year into the Exchequer. 
“ A return was made to Parliament in 1855, stating the appli¬ 
cation of the fund for the five years ending 5th April 1855. This 
statement will be found printed in the £ Proceedings of the Royal 
Society,’ vol. vii. page 512. A second return was made in 1862, 
showing the distribution of the fund from 1855 to 1862. No 
later return has been called for, although the Council would be 
glad to make it if ordered. 
“ It is proposed hereafter to publish an annual statement of 
the disposal of the grant in the Proceedings. W. S.” 
2 R 
VOL. VII. 
