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The lecturer began by defining the limits of liis subject and by 

 showing the lines which separated the animal kingdom from the mineral 

 and vegetable kingdoms. He said that while it was an easy matter to 

 distinguish between animals and vegetables of the higher orders, it was 

 exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, when we descend to the proto- 

 zoic forms of animals and the correspondingly low forms of plant life. 

 He stated that, apart from what could be seen in the more highly 

 organized, the essential difference between plants and animals is that 

 the former absorb from the air carbonic acid and give off oxygen, while 

 the latter do the opposite, a most beautiful illustration of the mutual 

 dependence of the different orders of created beings upon one another. 



The lecturer explained briefly the classifications of zoology from 

 the vertebrata down to the protozoa. His explanations were of the 

 most lucid and concise nature, and so clear that his hearers could not 

 fail to understand. 



In conclusion he advised and urged on his hearers to take up the 

 study of Nature, if it was only for the benefit of their health, and 

 advised them, if they wanted to study any branch of natural history, to 

 begin with some branch of zoology, as it was impossible to acquire a 

 thorough knowledge of geology or any of the other branches without 

 some knowledge of the animal kingdom. That he knew ot no place so 

 favorable to the study of science as Ottawa, with its free libraries, 

 museums, and masters of science, who were always willing to help 

 beginners. For anyone who wanted to study zoology he recommended 

 the hand book on that subject by Sir William Dawson, and closed his 

 excellent lecture with an appeal to the members present to undertake 

 some original work in some particular direction. Mr. Taylor concluded 

 by stating that he believed it one of our duties as well as of our privi- 

 lege to study the great diversity of the animal creation, and that after 

 the study of God's Word should come the study of God's woi-ks. 



The president alluded animatedly to the fact that no effort had 

 been made on the part of any member of the club to acquire a know- 

 ledge or even to give a list of the vertebrate animals of this vicinity, 

 and thought that it was a pity that a subject which was of such 

 importance, as Mr. Taylor had shown this to be, should be left untouched 



