92 The Ottawa Naturalist. [August 



and Ontario). For twenty years Mr. Billings laboured in the 

 Survey, and by his good work achieved for Canada as well as for 

 himself a reputation in the scientific world of which the greatest 

 might be proud. The name of Billings in the field of geology 

 and especially in the domain of palaeontology is a household word 

 and one synonymous with accuracy of observation and descrip- 

 tion. He possessed in a high degree an analytic as well a? a 

 synthetic mind. He has left behind him monuments of imperish- 

 able fame in the species and genera he described. Except for the 

 many fine collections now exhibited in the show-cases of the 

 National Museum on Sussex street, which, as has been frequently 

 pointed out, run the daily risk of being destroyed by fire, there is 

 nothing to recall his memory in our midst. 



As an outcome of a suggestion made by the President of the 

 Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club a committee was appointed with 

 the object of having a suitable portrait of the late Mr. Billings 

 painted. Mr. Charles E. Moss, R.C.A., has been requested to 

 paint this portrait. He has just returned from Montreal, where 

 he found an excellent likeness of Billings hanging in the rooms of 

 the Natural History Society of Montreal which that society has 

 generously placed at the disposal of the artist, and has given Mr. 

 Moss every facility possible for the completion of his work. Many 

 of Mr. Billings's old friends are still living, and the geologists of 

 Ottawa and Canada are joining hands in doing honour to such an 

 eminent scientist. It is the intention to present the portrait to the 

 Geological Survey Department to be placed in the Museum in a 

 suitable spot not distant from the numerous collections on which 

 he devoted so much care, time and study with such glorious 

 results. Billings's works are constantly quoted to-day in Europe 

 as well as in America, and as Canadians we are justly proud of 

 him. Among the Canadians on the committee appointed by the 

 Club are the names ot Sir James Grant, Dr. J. F. Whiteaves, Mr. 

 B. E. Walker (Toronto), Prof. John Macoun, Dr. James Fletcher, 

 Mr. W. J. Wilson and Dr. H M. Ami (convener). 



With a view of enlisting the co-operation of all the friends 

 and numerous admirers of the late Mr. Billings and giving all an 

 oppcrtunity of taking part in this memorial the committee have 

 thought it desirable to announce that all subscriptions, however 

 small, will be accepted. When the list is complete, the names of 

 the subscribers will be published in The Ottawa Naturalist. 

 Contributions may be sent in to any member of the committee. 

 It is expected that the presentation will take place in the near 

 future. 



