Meetings, as usual, were held throughout the session from November, 1897, to May, 1898, inclusive. The rapidly growing library of the society has been entirely removed to Dalhousie College, where it is accessible to members. This has much increased the usefulness of the collection. By the treasurer's report the finances are shown to be satisfactory, and this, as hitherto, is largely owing to the generous aid received from the Provincial Government. The Proceedings and Transactions, Vol. 9. Part 3, for 1896-97, have been published and distributed to institutions in all quarters of the globe. Another part, for the past session, is now in press. Officers for the year 1897-98 were elected as follows: 1st Vice-President-A. H. McKay, Esq., LL.D., F.R.S.C. 2nd Vice-President-F. W. W. Doane, Esq., C.E. Corresponding Secretary-Professor J. G. McGregor, D.Sc., F.R.SS. E. and C. Recording Secretary-Harry Piers, Esq. Other Members of Council-E. Gilpin, Esq., LL.D., F.R.S.C.; Martin Murphy, Esq., D.Sc.; William McKerron, Esq.; Roderick McColl, Esq., C.E.; Rev. Brother Peter, S. A. Morton, Esq., M.A.; Watson L. Bishop, Esq. Auditors-P. O'Hearn, Esq., G. W. T. Irving, Esq. During the session the following papers were read : 1.-"On the Calculation of the Conductivity of Aqueous Solutions containing Potassium and Sodium Sulphates," by E. H. Archibald, Esq., Dalhousie College, Halifax. 2.- On the Physical Properties of Certain Solutions, by E. H. Archibald, Esq., Dalhousie College. 3. Glacial Clays in New Jersey," with correlation of them elsewhere, by Arthur M. Edwards, Esq., M.D., Newark, New Jersey. 4.-" On the Calculation of the Conductivity of Solutions containing Potassium-Copper Sulphate," by E. H. Archibald, Esq., B.Sc. 5. Physical Laboratory Work of an Elementary Grade," by Professor J. G. McGregor, D.Sc., F.R.SS. E. and C., Dalhousie College. 6.-Exhibition of a working model of a "pivot-boat," with explanatory remarks, by Charles Twining, Esq. 7. On the Electrical Conductivity and other Properties of Solutions containing Barium and Sodium Chloride," by T. C. McKay, Esq., B.A., Dalhousie College. 8.- On the Relation of the Physical Properties of Certain Complex Solutions to their State of Ionization," by E. H. Archibald, Esq., B.Sc., Dalhousie College. 9.-"On the Calculation of the Conductivity of Solutions containing Potassium Magnesium Sulphate," by T. C. McKay, Esq., B.A., Dalhousie College. 10.-" -"Triassic (?) Rocks of Digby Basin," by Professor L. W. Bailey, LL.D., Ph.D., F.R.S.C., University of New Brunswick, Fredericton. 11.-" Presentation of Plan of Proposed Ethnological Survey of Canada," by A. H. MacKay, Esq., LL.D., F.R.S.C., Superintendent of Education. 12.-" Phenological Observations for 1897," by A. H. MacKay, Esq., LL.D., F.R.S.C. 13. Flora of Newfoundland, Labrador, St. Pierre et Miquelon, Part III.," by Rev. Arthur C. Waghorne, Newfoundland. 14.-" On the Relative Velocities of the Anions in Solutions contain. ing two Chlorides," by Professor J. G. McGregor, D.Sc., F.R.SS. E. and C. 15. "On the State of Ionization of Simple and Complex Solutions, at 0° C., as determined by Freezing-point and Conductivity Methods," by E. H. Archibald, Esq., M Sc., Dalhousie College. XVII. From The Natural History Society of New Brunswick, through Mr. W. J. WILSON. The Natural History Society of New Brunswick reports with satisfaction a year of activity and growth. Some fifty members have been added to the roll; the accessions to the museum and library have been numerous and valuable; and the visitors' register has shown a greatly increased public interest. The most important donations to the museum were those of Dr. Reynold J. Kirkland, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Wm. McIntosh, of St. John. The former presented about one thousand land and fresh water shells; the latter, five hundred and thirty mounted insect specimens. The growth of the library has been mainly due to the addition of the scientific periodicals for which the society's Bulletin is exchanged. read: Eight regular meetings were held, when the following papers were 1897. Oct. 4th Reports on the Geological and Botanical Features of Quaco," by Dr. Geo. F. Matthew and Geo. U. Hay, M.A. Nov. 2nd History of Rockwood Bog," address by Dr. Geo. F. Matthew. Dec. 7th (1)-"Some Observations in a Wild Garden," by Geo. U. Hay, M.A. (2)-"Note on the Manner in which the Bay of Fundy Rivers of New Brunswick empty into the Sea," by 1898. Jan. 4th Feb. 1st March 1st (1)—“ Niagara," by Dr. L. W. Bailey. (2)—" Canadian Earthquakes in 1897," by Samuel W. Kain. (1)-" New Brunswick Thunderstorms in 1897," by Samuel (2)" Note on Mean Sea Level at St. John," by E. T. P. Shewen, C.E. (3)" Note on Gun Reports at Grand Manan," by W. B McLaughlin. (4)-" Note on Physiography of the Lepreau Basin," by Prof. W. F. Ganong. (5)—“Note on the Marine Invertebrates of the Western Part of Bay Chaleur," by Prof. W. F. Ganong. (6)—" Note on the Cray Fish," by Prof. W. F. Ganong. April 5th (1) Biographical Sketch of the late Robert Foulis, C.E.," May 3rd by Percy G. Hall. (2)" Habits of Birds," by A. Gordon Leavitt. "Notes on the Trees of New Brunswick," by Walter S. Butler. In addition to the above, elementary lectures were delivered as follows: Three lectures on Bog and Pond Deposits," by Dr. George F. Matthew. Three lectures on " Plants," by Geo. U. Hay, M.A. Two lectures on "Insects," by Wm. McIntosh. One lecture on "The Batrachia of New Brunswick," by Charles F. B. Rowe. A weekly afternoon lecture was instituted by the associate members and enjoyed considerable popularity. In July last a very successful summer camp for field work in natural science was held at St. Martins. By the courtesy of the trustees of the St. Martins Seminary their commodious building was placed at the society's disposal, and every facility was afforded for class work and lectures. Under the leadership of President Geo. U. Hay, Dr. Geo. F. Matthew, Dr. W. F. Ganong and Prof. A. Wilmer Duff, a number of excursions were made to points of interest in the vicinity, and the material thus collected served to illustrate the public lecture which was delivered every evening. Many residents availed themselves of the opportunity to attend. Dr. L. W. Bailey was a visitor for a few days and delivered an instructive address on the geology of the Bay of Fundy. The stay at St. Martins proved most enjoyable and profitable, and resulted in the awakening in this locality of an active interest in the various branches of natural history. The following are the officers for 1898: Patron-His Honour the Lieut.-Governor, A. R. McClelan. President-George U. Hay, M.A. Vice-Presidents-H. George Addy, M.D., Wm. Murdock, C.E. Treasurer-R. Matthew. Secretary-Percy G. Hall. Librarian-Samuel W. Kain. Curators-Dr. G. F. Matthew, A. Gordon Leavitt, Wm. McIntosh. Members of Council (additional)-J. Roy Campbell, W. Frank Hatheway, F. E. Holman. XVIII.-From The Natural History Society of Montreal for 1897-8, through G. P. GIRDWOOD, M.D., F.R.S.C. The society has been much gratified, during the past year, by the large attendance at the Somerville course of lectures and Saturday afternoon lectures to the young; and, also, by the largely increasing numbers who have visited the museum. Several of the collections in the museum have been cleaned and rearranged during the year, and a number of interesting objects, hitherto stored away, have been placed on exhibition. Many donations have been made by different friends, and about 25 additional Canadian birds have been received in exchange for duplicate specimens. The annual field day, last year, took place on June 5th, when the members and friends visited the River Rouge, where they were hospitably entertained by the Hon. J. K. Ward. The society has continued the quarterly issue of the Canadian Record of Science, though it failed to obtain a renewal of a grant from the Quebec Government, which, in former years, used to defray the cost of this publication. An appeal has recently been issued to members and friends asking for financial aid; and the society hopes, by this means, to procure the sum of at least $10,000 as an endowment fund, which would provide permanent increase of income. Without some such addition to its funds, it is impossible to provide for the publication of the Record of Science, the efficient maintenance of the library and museum. and the annual courses of public lectures. In all these departments the society feels that it is doing useful and valuable work, which ought not, if possible, either to be curtailed or abolished. The following papers were read and discussed at the monthly meetings of the society: Oct. 25.-" Some Recent Discoveries Concerning the Older Rocks of Canada," by Frank D. Adams, Ph.D. Nov. Feb. 29.-"Studies in Development," by Wm. McBride, M. A., B.Sc. 31.-"Reeds, Grasses and Sedges of the Island of Montreal,” by Rev. Robt. Campbell, D.D., and H. B. Cushing. 28.-" Canadian Reptiles," by J. B. Williams, F.Z.S. March 28.-" A Trip to the Gomin Swamp," by A. F. Winn; and Through a Pocket Lens," by C. T. Williams. April 21.-"The Corundum Deposits of Shooting Creek, North Carolina," by A. McKenzie and Prof. J. T. Donald. The Somerville lectures this year formed a somewhat varied programme, and were given on the Thursday evenings from February 24 to April 7. They were free to the public, and the attendance was very good, on several occasions the hall being quite crowded. The museum was also open to the public for an hour before the commencement of each lecture, and a considerable number visited it on these evenings. The lectures were as follows: "Butterflies," by Prof. Fletcher, F.R.S.C., F.L.S. "Bees," by Percy Selwyn, Esq. "Curious Protective Features in Animals," by Prof. Prince, B.A. The Marine Mammals of Canada," by Prof. Robert Bell, LL.D., F.R.S. "The Modern Steamship," by Prof. A. J. Durley, B.Sc. "Precious Metals; where they come from and how they occur," by Prof. Frank D. Adams, Ph.D. "Coal and Iron," by Osmond C. Le Roy, B.A. The usual course of Saturday afternoon lectures to the young was given during the months of February and March. These familiar talks on natural history topics, many of which are illustrated with specimens from the museum, are largely taken advantage of by pupils of the public schools, and are also attended by many adults. The following is a list of the topics dealt with: "Volcanoes," by T. Denis. "The Ferns of Montreal," by Rev. Robt. Campbell, D.D. The following is a list of the present officers and members of council : Honorary President-Sir J. William Dawson, LLD., F.R.S., F.R.S.C. |