session 1903-1904. 
XXV 
which can be considered suitable for investigation by our Society is 
that of rainfall. Dr. H. It. Mill said that he had more than once 
had to be grateful to local Societies for important assistance in 
collecting material for the comprehensive discussion of natural 
phenomena. There was one way in particular in which he believed 
the members of local Societies could find interesting occupation 
sure of leading to useful scientific results. He was devoting 
himself to the collection and discussion of data relating to the 
rainfall of the British Isles, and in carrying on what wus really 
a national work, though done by the co-operation of the observers 
themselves; the chief difficulty had been the constant changes in 
the stations where observations were made, on account of the death 
or removal of the observers. This difficulty might to a great 
extent be obviated if every Scientific Society would make itself 
responsible (as many already did) for keeping an accurate and 
continuous record of the fall of rain, or, it might be, a series of 
records at properly selected places in their own neighbourhood. 
Ho element of climate was so variable and apparently so capricious 
as rainfall; hence the impossibility of having too many gauges, 
provided they were of good quality, properly placed, and con¬ 
scientiously observed. Ho doubt the mere accumulation of records 
was an unworthy aim, and involved only useless trouble if they 
were not turned to account. But the rainfall figures were turned 
to account in the compilation of an annual volume, ‘ British 
Rainfall.’ On application to him full particulars as to observing 
and recording rainfall would be sent to anyone interested. 
Mr. Read’s paper on indexing Prehistoric Remains should be 
read in the Report of the Association (in our Library) by all who . 
are interested in the subject; but one passage in it may be quoted : 
“Each Society should record .on the large scale Ordnance Map 
every tumulus' or earth-work within the county, and at the same 
time keep a register of the sites with numbers referring to the 
map, and in this register should be noted the names of the owner 
and tenant of the property, as well as any details which would be 
of use in exploring the tumuli.” 
The following resolution was passed:—“ Erom communications 
received relating to the destruction of earth-works and other 
historic and prehistoric remains, this Conference is rendered 
sensible of the necessity for the systematic indexing of important 
anthropological remains, county by county, with a view to their 
preservation. It therefore commends the collection of material to 
local Societies, and expresses the hope that steps may be taken to 
co-ordinate the various elements involved, and to arrange for the 
publication of the work.” 
The following resolutions were referred to the Council:— 
“ That the Council be requested to impress upon His Majesty’s 
Government the desirability of appointing an Inspector of Ancient 
Monuments under the Ancient Monuments Act in the place of the 
late Lieut.-General Pitt-Rivers.” 
VOL. XII. — PAltT VII. 
c 
