Address of the President of the O.F.N.C 199 



At the present time we are looking to an increased membership, in the hope of 

 being able to still further improve the " Ottawa Naturalist," our official organ. 

 Both in appearance and make up, it is now deserving of the highest commendation ; 

 but we are anxious to enlarge it and its scope. To mention but one feature we 

 should like to devote a number of pages monthly to the review of current work in 

 Natural Science the world over. In our present condition, such an advance is 

 impossible. We are entirely self-sustaining, be it remembered. The Club receives 

 no grant or annuities; we must therefore look to a further co-operalion on the 

 part of our citizens before we can take this next step forward. I may be allowed to say 

 as one who knows the workings of the Society intimately, and certainly not in any 

 sense of boastfulness that I do not know of any association in Canada that has more 

 to offer for its annual subscription ($l.oo), or of any society in the country that has 

 unaided done more pro bono publico than the Ottawa Field Naturalists' 

 Club. 



Our membership is by no means restricted, as might be thought by some, to 

 those who in the professional sense of the term man be called scientists. We are 

 certainly particularly fortunate in having among our members many who are devoting 

 theit time exclusively to the study of scientific problems. We are glad that those of 

 the scientific branches of the Government service as well as those in the various 

 educational institutions of the city, are with us in our work, taking an active interest in 

 the Club's welfare and extending always a helping hand to the novice, a feature which 

 I teel sure you will recognize as characteristic of our Club. Nevertheless, we invite all; 

 for are we not all learners ? The old and the young alike may find an interest in 

 the fascinating study of Nature. We have on all occasions extended a warm 

 welcome to the Students of the Normal School, and they have always 

 responded well to our invitation. May we not confidently hope that by their 

 attendance at our meetings we have sown good seed that will bring forth fruit in many 

 a distant corner of the Dominion. The Club's influence for good, therefore, extends 

 far beyond the confines of the Capital. 



But, whether I have said enough or not to induce our friends to join us, I wish 

 it to be distinctly understood that all non- members as well as members are 

 invited to this course of lecture that we inaugurate to-night all are welcome. In 

 the fullest sense of the word the lectures, as they always have been with the Field 

 Naturalists' Club, are free. We hope for and expect large attendances. By 

 your regular attendance you may accrue a benefit otherwise unattain- 

 able ; by your presence here you will show your appreciation of the 

 efforts of those who have of their generosity placed their time and talent at our 

 disposal in preparing and delivering the addresses. The programme is one of unusual 

 merit, embracing subjects of great interest. The lectures throughout will be of a 

 didactic character, and many of them will be illustrated by lime-light views. Our 

 lecturers are those whose names are well known in Canadian science and literature. 

 Let us see to it that we show them our appreciation by our attendance and attention. 



