vi PROCEEDINGS—PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 
union or secondary object, the spread of scientific knowledge. But, 
if we do not issue any publication, the first end is to a large extent 
defeated, as, if the result of our work is not placed on record in some 
way, it is not available for reference, and can therefore be of no 
permanent value. On the other hand, the publication of Transactions 
should act as a stimulus to members to bring forward communications 
which are of more than passing utility. Then, again, publication is 
the only means we have of communication with the outside scientific 
world, and with other societies, so that without any record being kept 
of our work, the Society would be apt to degenerate into a mere 
4 Mutual Improvement Association,’ and nothing more. At the same 
time, it would not be necessary, or desirable, to publish all papers 
communicated to the Society. There are many interesting and 
instructive papers which fulfil the second function of our Society to 
which I have alluded—namely, the Educational,—and the object of 
these would seem to be accomplished when they are read before the 
Society. It should therefore be distinctly understood that only papers 
of a certain class would be chosen for publication, and that no dis¬ 
paragement was implied to the authors of papers not so chosen. For 
this purpose it would be necessary to appoint a Publishing Committee, 
whose duty it would be to make the selection, and whose decision 
would be final. Certain definite rules would be laid down for their 
guidance, as, for instance, that only those papers were to be published 
which contained the result of at least some original research, and that 
all communications bearing on the Natural History of Perthshire and 
the basin of the Tay were to have preference. The papers thus 
selected would form the Transactions. At the end of the part or 
volume might be printed a brief form of Proceedings. These latter 
would embrace a summary of the business done at each meeting, 
giving all the titles of all papers read, names of members elected, and 
list of donations intimated. The Annual Reports, Abstract of 
Accounts, list of Office-bearers, and short notices of Excursions 
might also be given in the Proceedings .” 
Your Council admitting (as all must) the force of these arguments, 
agreed to recommend that T?-ansactions and Proceedings should be 
published on the lines suggested by the Editor. At the same time it 
is evident—from the estimates of expense submitted to the Council— 
that it will be impossible to print a yearly part and issue it free of 
charge to members, as has been hitherto done with the Proceedings , if 
the annual subscription is to remain as it is; and the Council does 
not see its way to recommend that the subscription should be in¬ 
creased. We must therefore be content with having—however 
objectionable this may be—our Transactions issued at irregular 
periods, unless members choose to start or maintain a publication 
fund, to supplement the small portion of the annual subscriptions 
that alone can be devoted to publication expenses. I cannot help 
fearing that such irregular publication will not be without a bad effect 
on the quality of the papers communicated to our meetings, and also 
upon our position as a Society. While admitting that the Council is 
probably justified in abstaining from recommending an increase in the 
amount of the annual subscription, I must say that I think that, con- 
