REPORTS OF SOIREES. 



There is no part of the work of the Field NaturaHsts' Club 

 upon which more care is bestowed than on the preparation of 

 the programme of winter lectures, and it is doubtful whether 

 in the history of the Club there has been a better programme 

 than that offered for 1907-8. It is through its lectures and 

 informal talks that the Club comes most directly in touch with 

 the public as the audiences are made up in great part of those 

 who while not members of the Club are specially interested in 

 and attracted by the subjects upon which addresses are given. 

 The opening evening is always made as attractive as possible 

 and this year short talks were given on "Personal Experiences 

 in the Field during the past season" by five of the Club's oldest 

 members, in the Assembly Room of the Normal School, December 

 10th. Dr. J. F. White the Principal of the Normal School in 

 a short address of welcome complimented the Club on the 

 good work it was doing and assured its members of the hearty 

 co-operation of himself and his staff in this work. He was 

 followed by Dr. S. B. Sinclair whose "personal experience" 

 described a fire which had been neglected near where he had 

 spent the summer in the Parry Sound district and which after 

 it had spread until it seemed to be beyond control was system- 

 atically and heroically attacked by himself and seven neighbors 

 and after five days work was stamped out, although everything 

 was as dry as tinder and the wind blew almost continually. 

 He learned there that fire usually travels very slowly, if at all. 

 during the night and that sand extinguishes fire as effectively 

 as water and is usually much more easily obtainable. A full 

 report of Dr. Sinclair's address, which was illustrated by 

 several beautiful lantern slides, will be published in the March 

 number of The Canadian Forestry Journal. 



Dr. Fletcher who can carry his audience with him to 

 whatever place he may be describing and make them see not 

 only the place but what he saw when there, took them to the 

 tops of some of the highest mountains in British Colvmibia 

 and told them of the elusive butterflies and other insects he 

 had seen and captured there. Veritable "Mountain Sprites", 

 only to see them in their wind-swept home& amply repaid the 

 enthusiast who went in search of them. His address in a con- 

 densed form will be pablished in the March number of The 

 Ottawa Naturalist. 



