Local Scientific Societies

Abstract

FOR some years past there has been a growing expression of desire of local scientific societies to be officially represented at the meetings of the British Association. The question is one of considerable difficulty and delicacy, and though it has been the subject of frequent discussion and some legislation, no measure has yet been carried that is satisfactory to all parties. Last year the subject was referred to the Council, who appointed a special committee, and this committee made on Tuesday its preliminary report. They asked in it for permission from the Council to circulate the report among the local societies in order to obtain from them that response which is needed before the committee can feel themselves in a position to report finally, and a fortiori before the Council can take their report into consideration. This permission has been granted, together with that of free publication. A copy of the report will consequently be shortly sent to the various societies by the secretary, Mr. H. George Fordham, Odsey Grange, Royston, Cambridgeshire, with the request that their replies will be forwarded to him. But as the subject presses, and as the season is advancing and the annual sessions of societies are drawing to a close, the best method of bringing the report before the members of those societies is through the columns of NATURE. I therefore forward it at once.