9 



EDITORIAL ANNOL^NCEMENT. 



The Ottawa Naturalist is issued by the OUawa FieH- 

 Naturalists' Club in continuation of its Transactions already published ;. 

 the second volume of which was completed by the number for 1885-1886. 

 For eight years the Club has earnestly carried on the work for which it 

 was organized " The study of the Natural History of this locality." 

 Nor has it confined itself to this rich and extensive field. It has 

 gradually extended its influence,, and, by excursions, classes ami 

 lectures, has sought to foster a love for Natural History, and a desire in 

 all its members to investigate the marvellous realms of nature. 



After careful consideration of suggested changes in the method of 

 carrying on the Club's work, it has been decided that its value, not only 

 to members but to scie)ititic oI)servers in other places, will be greatly 

 increased by the issue of a portion of its Transactions each month. 

 This will ensure an earlier publicatiou of the papers prepared for its 

 soirees, which is especiiUly desirable when new species are described, 

 and will keep the members more fully informed as to the progress of 

 its work. The record of its proceedings will be made as [complete as 

 possible. To the papers and i-eports that have formerly appeared, will 

 be added an account of each general meeting, soiree, class, excursion, 

 sub-e.\cursiun, or other undertaking of the Club. This step will douUlo 

 the present size of our Transactions, and will necessarily entail a pro- 

 portionate outlay. We must therefore have many new members. Tho 

 Council will do all in its power, but the required increase in mera heir- 

 ship can cnly be secured by the active co-opevation of every member of 

 the Club. Especially will ladies be welcomed to our ranks, and eveiy 

 effort will be put forth to make the excursions and soirees pleasant as 

 well as instructive It is much regretted that up to the present time the 

 lady members hive, with a few exceptions, not taken an active part 

 in the work of the Club. Thei'e are several branches of natural history, 

 such as Botany, Entomology and Ornithology, which offer to them 

 attractive Helds for observation and experiment, and in which many 

 ladies are doing most excellent work elsewhere. 



The Clulj has endeavoured to impress the value of an acquaintance 

 with the works of nature upon the teachers in our educational institu- 



