179 



iricliule our toads, frogs and tree frogs; tlion the salatnanders were 

 briefly discuss?d. Of our snakes and tuitlos n.ucli remained to be 

 learned, and special attention should be given to their study and col- 

 lection. Passing on lo the ManinuiLs, the speaker gave a very interest- 

 ing comparison of the marsupials, or pouched niaminals, now chiefly 

 found in Australasia, with the placental *orms which an elsewhere 

 found. The different c^roups, sucli as the rodtsnts, ungulates and 

 carnivores were outlir.ed, and finally reference wan made to man and 

 the evidences of his existence in bygone days. 



In the discussion whicli followed, further interesting points were 

 brought forward by the several speakers and l)y Prof. Macoun's r ply 

 to them, especially in regard to the failure of the Noni.;'.l ami ot'.ier 

 public schools to teach Zoology, which was brought (urwanl by Mr. 

 J. Stewart. Mr. Harrington exhibited a fine specimen of llesperomis 

 leucopiis, the white-footed mouse, which he had trapi)ed the previous 

 night in his shed. Attention was caMed to the great beauty of this 

 native field mouse and a few remarks were made on its habits. The 

 President, Mr. li. B. Whyte, urged the collection and study of our 



-small mammals, of which there are many species but little known to 

 the membtjrs. Mv. Ami made some remarks on the abundance of the 

 lower forms of animal life and the interest attaching to their study. 



ANNOUNCEMENTS. 



SoiKtKS As the Soiree fixed for tiie IGth February, had to lie 

 postponed because the Concert of the Philharmonic Society took i)lace 

 upon that date, cwo of the evening meetings still remain to be held, 

 and will be as follows: March 1st, A Papcn- by Mr. J. B.iUautync 

 upon " Our Squirrels" and Reports of the Botanical and Entomological 

 Branches; March 15th, A Paper by Mr. A. O. Wheeler entitled 

 " Autumn on the Ottawa," and Rei)orts of the Conchological and 

 'Ornithological Branches. 



IMoNDAY Afternoon Lkctlres. February L'lUh, .Mr. \i. 15. 

 Wh,>te on Botany ; March 5th, Prof. ^lacoun on Mosses ; March l.'uli, 

 on Classification of Plants. 



Annual Mkkting.- -March 2()th, Third Tuesday in month- the 

 Annual Meeting for Election of OHicers will be held at 4.15 in the 

 Museum of the (Jttawa Literary and Scientific Society. A full .ittcnd 

 ance of tlui membeis is greatlv to be desired in tin; interests of tin- 

 'Club. 



