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Our Saturday afternoon sub-excursions were not nearly so numer- 

 ous as last year, owing to the very large number of wet Saturdays in 

 the early part of the season, and in the latter part to the absence from 

 the city of the leaders who take charge of these outings ; but though 

 few in number, they included two of the most successful yet held by 

 the Club. One, that to the Beaver Meadow, Hull, though not very 

 largely attended, was in every other way so satisfactory that it might 

 be taken as a model of what the Council aim at in their Saturday after- 

 noon trips, therefore a brief sketch of it will not be out of place here. 



The meadow, a favorite resoi't of our botanists, is about a mile 

 from the street car terminus north of the Aylmer Road. The party of 

 about 25 explored the north side without much success, but on crossing 

 over 1o the south side we beheld the most magnificent display of spring 

 flowers I ever saw^ Bellworts, Trilliums, Squirrel corn, and many others 

 ill the greatest profusion a sight well worth the walk to see. After 

 making large collections the party reassembled to hear the usual ad- 

 dresses. The most notable plants collected were exhibited and their 

 principal characteristics and properties explained as siin|)ly as jiussible 

 by your President, special attention being directed to the Cruciferaj. 

 Prof. Macoun, by special request, gave a most admirable address 

 on the willows, many of which were then in flower, explaining the dif- 

 ferent groups into which tliis most difficult order is divided, and the 

 best way to collect and study them. Mosses and nllied forms were aLso 

 referred to. Mr. Fletcher, on behalf of the entomological leaders, spoke 

 of the principal insects capture I, with s[)Hcial reference to gall forma- 

 tion, an<l also gave some valuable advice on how to l)egiu the study of 

 insect life, what apparatus was necessary, and where it could be pro- 

 cured. Prof. Macoun then gave a short address on some birds Ihj had 

 observed, illustrating his remarks with specimens he had collected foi- 

 the museum, and by others flying overhead, making altogether a com- 

 bination of pleasure and instruction tliat ought to l)e attractive not 

 only to students of natural history but to every thinking person who 

 desires to become acquainted with the beauties of the world around him. 



The other excursion referred to was that to the Ex])erimei,tal 

 Farm on July 14, which was the largest sub excursion on record, over 

 60 members taking part in it. As a full account ot it was publi.shed in 



