1907] Meeting of Couxcil 55 



the few leaves of perennials protrtiding above the ground, be- 

 tokened the backwardness of the season. A. H. 



Ottawa, 24th April, 1907. 



The second field excursion of the season was held by the 

 Field Naturalists' Club on Saturday at Beechwood, the search 

 for Hepatica being one of the chief interests. 



The day was perfect, and a good crowd arranged themselves 

 at three o'clock under the direction of the various leaders. Mr. 

 Wilson, the President, took charge of the Geological section, 

 Mr. Halkett, of the Entomological, Mr. Eifrig, of the Ornitho- 

 logical, and Messrs. Attwood and Blackadar, of "the Botanical 

 section. At the close of the afternoon, the Club assembled at 

 the green-houses and speeches were delivered on the various 

 interests of the afternoon's outing. 



The President, Mr. Wilson, spoke of the formation of the 

 rocks in the neighborhood, making special reference to the cliffs 

 about McKay's Lake, which, from a distance, have a white, 

 ashv appearance, but which are composed of shells of varying 

 sizes now in process of solidification into fossil rocks. Mr. 

 Attwood spoke on the necessit}^ for having correct names for 

 things, whether the names be English or Latin, and of the dis- 

 advantages of misleading names founded on a superficial and 

 unscientific classification, such as that of our American "Robin," 

 which is not a robin at all but a thrush. 



Mr. Eifrig reported that though the day was warm, there 

 were few birds to be seen, which he attributed to the preceding 

 cold snap, causing the birds either to return further south, or 

 else to remain quietly here in some ver}^ sheltered spot. He 

 also spoke of it being an "oft" season" in migration for a couple 

 of weeks, the early birds having arrived some time ago, and it 

 not yet being late enough in the season to expect the warblers 

 and later varieties. He also gave a list of the various species 

 that have already been noticed this season. 



Mr. Halkett exhibited a number of specimens collected 

 during the afternoon, amongst them being the somewhat rare 

 Salamander Batrachian. Mr. Blakadar named the various 

 plants that had been gathered by the members during the 

 afternoon. Anna E. Sinclair. 



O. F. N. C. BOTANICAL CLUB. 



April 11. An interesting meeting of the Club was held at 

 Dr. Fletcher's house, present: J. Fletcher in the chair, Prof. 

 Macoun, Dr. H. M. Ami and Messrs Attwood, G. H. Clarke, T. 

 E. Clarke, Harrington. J. M. Macoun and R. B. Whyte. 



The chairman alluded to the suspension in the work of the 



