PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING HELD AT 

 TORONTO, CANADA, AUGUST 28 AND 29, 1889. 



The Society met in Toronto University, Toronto, Ontario, on August 28, 

 at 12.30 p. m., pursuant to adjournment; Vice-President Alexander Win- 

 chell in the chair aud 53 Fellows present. 



The Secretary read the report of the Executive Council, which stated that 

 the roll of the Society shows 175 Fellows, and that the Treasurer's report 

 shows a balauce of SI, 649 in the treasury. 



The special business before the meeting was the report of the committee 

 appointed at Ithaca meeting to prepare a new Constitution ; but as that 

 committee was not ready to preseut its report, the Society took a recess 

 until 3.30 p. m. 



At that hour the Society came together again, President James Hall in 

 the chair, and listened to the committee's draft of a new Constitution. The 

 chairman of the committee, Prof. Alex. Winchell, asked for instructions 

 respecting the insertion of a section authorizing voting by proxy. After a 

 prolonged discussion the Society, on motion of Mr. Robert Hay, referred the 

 whole matter to the committee with power. 



Mr. W J McGee, Secretary of the Advisory Committee on Publication, 

 appointed at the Ithaca meeting, exhibited copies of the report presented by 

 that committee to the Executive Council of the Society. The Executive 

 Council was requested to authorize the distribution of copies of the report to 

 Fellows of the Society. 



The Society then adjourned to meet on Thursday, the 29th inst., in the 

 theatre of the Normal School, the use of which had been granted by the 

 Hon. G. W. Ross, Minister of Public Instruction. 



Session of Thursday, August 29. 



The Society met at 10.30 a. m., on Thursday, in the theatre of the 

 Normal School. The meeting was opened by the President, James Hall, 

 who delivered the following address : 



OPENING ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT. 



Gentlemen of the American Geological Society : 



It is now my duty to call you to order forthe first business meeting of the 

 Society, to listen to the reading of papers, a list of which is already before 

 you. This occasion does not seem to me to offer the proper opportunity for 

 making a formal address, but there may be a number of you presenl who 



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