198 The Ottawa Naturalist. [January 



unquestionably added materially to the sum total of our knowledge 

 of local natural history and geology. I do not, however, wish to 

 emphasize the material advantage particularly, as I think we are 

 too apt to view everything in the light of dollars and cents. I 

 believe our chief claim for the support and sympathy of the people 

 of Ottawa rests on the much higher plain of educational work. 

 While collecting information in regard to natural history and 

 geology we keep in view the developing of a love of Nature Study 

 especially among the younger members. It is not the purpose of 

 the Club to make profound scientists of its members, but rather to 

 lead them to observe and take an intelligent interest in the com- 

 mon things about them, thus giving an additional interest to every 

 ramble through field and forest. 



The name of the Club suggests its greatest usefulness, that is 

 the field work. We are FiELD-Naturalists and our out-door 

 excursions afford us the opportunity of doing our best work. This 

 part of cur work has often been referred to, but it cannot be too 

 frequently reiterated. It is now generally recognized by colleges 

 and educational institutious that the study of Nature from text 

 books alone is useless, and many of them have gone to great 

 expense to fit out laboratories in which the most practical instruc- 

 tion is given by bringing the student and the thing he studies 

 directly together. This is what we do in our field-excursions. 

 Those who join these excursions have an opportunity of studying 

 the objects as' they occur in nature and are led by suggestion 

 rather than direct statement to find out all they can about them. 

 The pleasure derived from the study of natural history objects 

 is real and lasting. For instance, the sight of a plant will 

 recall the first time you found it, and the time when book in hand 

 you sat down and studied it till you found out its name, and all 

 vou could learn about it. Every season as you see it again it is 

 like meeting an old friend. 



Another important benefit the Club offers its members is the 

 stimulus afforded by associating with those engaged in similar 

 work. It requires a great supply of energy, enthusiasm and love 

 for a study to keep on plodding along year after year. We have 

 all seen students start out in the most commendable way and do 

 good'work for~a_short time ; then the novelty having worn off 



