64 
EXCURSIONS Nos. I AND II. 
The first excursion for the present season was held on May 27th 
and proved very successful, there being three hundred members and 
their friends present. The point selected was the village of Wakefield, 
or La Peche, and the Gatineau river, at the height of its spring flood, 
afforded some fine views as the train skirted its rapids and falls. The 
morning was bright and clear but unfortunately before noon it clouded 
up and showers and light rains continued during the afternoon. In 
spite of the moisture, however, many of the collectors continued their 
explorations and some good botanical coll actions were made. Two 
prizes which had been offered by the Council were awarded to Miss 
Blaikie and Mr. McCurdy for their very creditable collections. The 
adjacent school-house gave shelter to many during the day, and probably 
had within its walls a more learned and scientific body than on any 
previous occasion. The excursion cars also formed a rallying point, 
and in them were delivered the usual interesting addresses by Dr. Ells 
and Messrs Ferrier, Craig and Cowley, the leaders of the Geological 
and Botanical sections. Ed. 
The second Excursion was held on Saturday, the iSth June, and 
those who attended spent a delightful day. After a pleasant sail down 
the Ottawa on the fine Str. Empress, the party on reaching Rockland 
was met by a steam launch, on which a short cruise was made among 
the adjacent islands and bays. Then the quarries were visited, from 
which is being excavated the stone for the Soulanges canal, and which 
furnish a very fine, massive limestone. The geological exposures of 
this neighbourhood are exceedingly interesting, several formations being 
visible, and good series of fossils were obtained from the various strata, 
of which nrjtes will appear later. The members were then conveyed in 
carriages to Mr. Edwards's splendid farm, and they were much in- 
terested in the fine stuck exhibited. The neighbouring fields and woods 
were found to be most inviting ; strawberries were abundant, and 
various flowers in profusion. During the afternoon the mills were 
inspected and the river banks examined. The thanks of the Club are 
due to Mr. Edwards, M.P., for his kind invitation to visit his extensive 
mills and farms, and for placing his launch and carriages at the service 
of the members. Also to Mr. Archie Stewart, who has the contract for 
