3. AID TO SCIENTIFIC STUDIES AND INVESTIGATIONS.

Despite the large expense of the present volume, for the reasons stated, the funds of the Royal Society are now in so satisfactory a condition that it will be in the power of the Council to contribute during the next twelve months at least $200.00 for scientific investigations which require special aid. The scientific sections are therefore asked to report on the subject with the view of stimulating scientific research. The results of such researches must be reported to the section with the object of having them published exclusively in the Transactions.

4. NEW MEMBERS.

Mr. Gilbert Parker, the distinguished Canadian littérateur, the author of "The Seats of the Mighty" and other well-known romances, the scenes of which are laid in the Dominion, has written the following letter to the Honorary Secretary, accepting his election as a corresponding member of the society:

"Dear Dr. Bourinot,

"7 PARK PLACE, "ST. JAMES'S, LONDON, S.W.

"Let me thank you heartily for your letter informing me that the Royal Society of Canada, at its meeting in Halifax, did me the honour to make me a corresponding fellow in the Department of Literature.

"I need not say how unexpected was this distinguished recognition by the Royal Society of Canada, but how welcome it is this letter of thanks and gratitude must declare. No more flattering attention and preferment can come to me from Canada than to be allied with an insti tution which, composed of the best intellects of the Dominion, devotes itself to those fine interests of science, history and literature-the triple crown of Progress, as Commerce and Industry are its wholesome powers.

"It would be a great privilege to me to feel that I might do something in the future to advance the objects of the society, and I sincerely hope I may not be disappointed in this ambition. May I ask you to present to the Royal Society of Canada my profound appreciation of the honour done me and my respectful applause of its distinguished labours and career.

(Signed),

"Believe me to be, dear Dr. Bourinot,
"Yours sincerely,

"GILBERT PARKER."

Mr. Parker has consented to deliver a public address on the "Art of Fiction" at the present meeting of the society.

The Honourable Sir J. D. Edgar, Speaker of the House of Commons, has also expressed his thanks for his unanimous election to the Second Section of English Literature and will gladly co-operate in its work.

A nomination paper in favour of the election of the Honourable J. W. Longley, A.M., LL.D., Attorney-General of Nova Scotia, to a vacancy

in Section II., was duly signed and forwarded to the Fellows of the section, and the Council have much pleasure in stating that he received 21 out of the 23 votes available The two missing votes were those of a member absent from the country and of another ill during the time voting was permissible. Under these circumstances the society are called upon to ratify what is practically an unanimous election so far as the section is concerned.

5. ASSOCIATED SOCIETIES.

The customary invitations to attend the present meeting and report on the scientific and literary work of the year were sent to the following Canadian societies, who have heretofore co-operated with the Royal Society:

do
Victoria, B. C.....

Natural History Society of B. C..............

Wentworth Pioneer and Historical Society. Hamilton, Ont..

Elgin Historical and Scientific Institute... St. Thomas, Ont..... Mr. Casey, M.P.

6. BIBLIOGRAPHY.

In the report of the Council of 1897 attention was called to the advisability of bringing out a new edition to the latest date of the bibliography of the society, which was printed nearly four years ago. Only three or four members have so far responded to the request that was made to them to furnish the additional information that was required to make the bibliographical notes of their work as full as possible. It is now proposed to send to every old member of the society a printed sheet, containing his bibliography, and asking him to make the necessary additions to July 1st of the present year. The new Fellows will receive proper forms to fill up with a complete list of their publications. The Honorary Secretary is in constant receipt of letters from librarians, authors and students who are anxious to receive copies of an accurate bibliography of the society. Under these circumstances the Secretary, who edited the first edition, hopes that the members will assist him to the utmost of their ability in perfecting a work which can be undoubtedly of much practical utility from a scientific, historical, archæological and literary point of view.

7. THE TORONTO MEETING OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE.

Allusion was made, in the last report of Council, to the meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science then shortly to occur in Toronto. The Royal Society of Canada has been in full sympathy with the efforts made to bring about this meeting, first proposed on the invitation of the Canadian Institute, and materially assisted by the Dominion and Provincial Governments.

The Toronto meeting is the second occasion on which the association has held its annual session elsewhere than in the British Islands, the first being in Montreal in 1884. This meeting was a most successful and interesting one, particularly in respect to the attention directed by it to the resources of Canada, and in the very considerable number of visiting members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, in consequence of which it possessed not only an imperial but also to some extent an international character.

The number of members and associates present at Toronto, and the total receipts in the way of fees were of course much less than that at the preceding meeting in Liverpool, but both were somewhat above those recorded for the next preceding meeting at Ipswich. The total attendance at Toronto was 1,362, and the proportion of well-known scientific authorities present was remarkably large and included some of the most eminent men of the time. The total number of papers presented to the various sections numbered nearly 400, of which 70 were by Canadian authors or had special reference to Canadian topics. Of the committees of the asso

ciation, one relating to the investigation of the Northwest Tribes of Canada, has been in existence since the Montreal meeting, at which it originated. In addition to this committee, (the work of which it is understood will close with the present year) six new committees having special reference to Canadian subjects were organized at Toronto, with the following objects:-To establish a Meteorological Observatory on Mount Royal; to further investigate the Fauna and Flora of the Pleistocene beds of Canada; the Biology of the lakes of Ontario; to organize an Ethnological Survey of Canada; the Collection, Preservation and Systematic Registration of Canadian Photographs of Geological interest ; the establishment of a Biological Station in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Apart from the general interest evoked in scientific matters by the meeting and the encouragement given to scientific societies and workers in Canada, it will thus be seen that an important impulse has been assured in several lines of investigation, and that support of an authoritative kind has been afforded to those who are anxious to secure the necessary means and attention for the prosecution of such investigations.

In the excursions to various parts of the country made by members of the association, recreation was as usual combined with scientific observation; but particularly in connection with the transcontinental journey made by a number of the members at the close of the meeting, there is already reason to believe that much good has resulted, especially in the appreciation derived from actual knowledge of the important mineral developments in progress in the West.

8. HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY-TIDAL SURVEY.

The Council, in view of the great importance of this subject, hope that the Government will see its way clear to continue the work on the most extended scale possible, and not in any way allow it to fall behind. A most complete investigation of the currents and tidal phenomena of the waters of Canada is absolutely essential to the development of her great maritime interests.

The Council, in Appendix to Proceedings, give the usual summary of the work of the survey during the past year, and add a number of citations from responsible public officers, boards of trade, and influential newspapers, to show the value of the work and the need for further investigation without delay.

More than one attempt was made during the past four months by Dr. Alexander Johnson, who has been the principal mover in this matter, to arrange an interview with the Minister of Marine and Fisheries with the object of pressing it again upon his attention through a deputation of representatives of boards of trade and scientific bodies, but unavoidable circumstances intervened to prevent the meeting. It is worthy of consid

eration whether such a deputation could not be arranged during the present session of the society. Dr. Johnson, we understand, is authorized by Admiral Sir Joseph Wharton, the Hydrographer to the Admiralty, to communicate an opinion, which shows the great gravity of the subject, and the urgent need of dealing with it.

The Council are also of opinion that the Imperial authorities should assist in the promotion of this important undertaking, and that their cooperation should be immediately asked with the view of relieving the Canadian Government from the financial difficulties which now unhappily appear to prevent them actively prosecuting so necessary a work.

9. THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE OF MAY, 1900.

Mr. John Lindsay, Assistant Secretary and Editor of the Transactions of the Astronomical and Physical Society of Toronto, has sent the Council a communication calling attention to the advisability of forming a national expedition in Canada to observe the total eclipse of the sun in May. 1900. The Council direct the attention of the Third Section to the subject, which is treated by Mr. Lindsay as follows:—

The progress of astronomical research in recent years has been especially marked by the very great interest which not only individuals and societies, but nations, have taken in phenomena presented by the heavenly bodies. Where it has been shown that the sum total of useful knowledge might be increased by careful and systematic observation on special occasions, the great civilized nations have vied with each other in providing means for the carrying on of the work, and even where the results have been unsatisfactory, rendered so by weather conditions that could not be foreseen, no word of regret for expenditure has been heard. It seems to have been tacitly recognized that the probabilities of failure were not to be considered at all in connection with the necessary outlay. The result of all this is that we find on record expeditions to observe transits of Venus and eclipses of the sun which are distinctly national-known by special names, telling at once of the liberality of various governments ready and willing to further the interests of science even far beyond the point of direct application to the needs of civilized life.

In view of these facts it may surely be said that the time has come for Canada to take some active part in scientific work, and more especially as an opportunity will soon be afforded for adding a little, if only a little, to our knowledge of solar physics. But two short years from now and there occurs a total eclipse of the sun, the path of the shadow lying so near to us that the expense of transportation will be insignificant in comparison with the same item in many recent expeditions, thus allowing of the maximum of appropriation for equipment. There has not been a total eclipse of the sun at all near to us since 1890, and there will not be