27 

 REPORT TO THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA, 



Read at the Fifth General Meeting^ ^^ay, 1S86. 



In presenting to your Honourable Society the Fourth Report from 

 ihe Ottawa PielJ-Naturalists' Club, the Council has great pleasure ia 

 being able to say thj>t it 4 work has been carried on with increased and 

 gratifying success. The Club has at present over 170 ordinary and 

 seven corresponding member?", making it numerically one of the 

 strongest Scientific Societies in the Dominion; and as regards original 

 work performed by the members, it can compare favourably with any 

 similar societ}*. 



The usual Excursions to [)]aces of interest in the vicinity were held 

 at intervals during the sammor, and many valuable facts concerning 

 the Natural History of this district were recorded. 



Much useful work was also accomplished at the Sab-excursion? 

 which were held on Saturday afternoons to points in tho immediate 

 neighbourhood of the city. These Snb-excursions are of the character 

 of out-door classes, and are conducted with a view to enable the 

 younger and less experienced members to study the different branches 

 under the guidance of the appointed leaders, whose duty it is to give 

 any assistance and explanation that may be necessaxy. 



During the winter six Soirees were held. One was an evening 

 devoted to the microscope, at which short papers were read and slides 

 exhibited illustrative of the different subjects ; while at the others the 

 following papers were read : '' The President's Addres<," Mr. "W. H. 

 Harrington; "The Black Bear," Mr. W. P. L-^tt ; "Water 

 Crystallization Effected by Magnetism," Mr. E. Odium, (Pembroke); 

 " A New Departure in the Study of Minerals," Rev. C. F. Marsan; 

 " Ottawa Dragon Flies," Mr. T. J. MacLaughlin. 



In addition, there were Reports from the Leaders, of the work dona 

 during the year in the various departments of Natural History, and 

 notes by members. These, as well as the papers read, wer followed by 

 discussions of an interesting nature, which are a distinctive feature of 

 the Soirees. 



Afternoon lecture i were also given during the winter on the 

 following subjects : 



Entomologu Three by Mr. Harrington, twj by Mr. Fletcher. 



