Notes

Abstract

WHILE the British Association has suspended its annual gatherings for the last two years, the Società italiana per il Progresso delle Scienze, the head offices of which are at 26 Via del Collegio Romano in Rome, sends us a very attractive programme of the tenth meeting, which is to be held in Pisa on October 16–19 under the presidency of Prof. Ferdinando Lori and the secretaryship of the indefatigable Prof. Vincenzo Reina. The success of the meetings at Rome in 1916 and at Milan and Turin in 1917 has convinced the council that it will be interpreting the wishes of the members in continuing even in war-time to maintain its activity in promoting the advancement of knowledge in the country. We notice that such subjects as mathematics, physics, chemistry, and aeronautics do not figure in the proceedings of the sections, which are to be devoted mainly to geological and mineralogical papers in Class A, biological and medical in Class B, and economical in Class C. It is the object of the meeting to pay a large amount of attention to the study of the mineral resources of Italy. At the same time the Italian Thalassographic Commission is organising a subsection of Class B on fisheries, and is presenting an annual report, while similar reports are being presented by the Glaciological Committee and the National Commission for the Development of Scientific and Industrial Progress. The Italian Assor ciation for the Study of Building Materials is to meet in Pisa at the time of the congress. The opening omeeting of the scientific gathering is to be held on Wednesday, October 16, at 10 a.m., in the Aula Magna of the University, when an inaugural address will be given by Prof. Raffaello Nasini on “A Proposal for an inventory of Italy's Mineral Wealth.” In addition to the sectional meetings, nine general lectures have been arranged for the mornings of the subsequent days, while the sections will meet in the afternoons, and an excursion will take place on the Sunday.