152 The Ottawa Naturalist. [November 



Librarians, one Editor, one Chief of Correspondence and Docu- 

 ments, and one Chief of Buildings. 



The main purposes of the National Museum are these : 

 I. Exhibition of Collections. 2. Access to reserve collections for 

 specialists. 3. Identification of specimens. 4. Library. 5. Dona- 

 tion of specimens to educational institutions. 6. Donation of 

 publications. 7. Lecture Course during- the year. 8. Corres- 

 pondence and Information. 



In looking over these figures and reports it appears to indi- 

 cate clearly the line in which it is confidently expected that at no 

 distant date our politicians will see to it that a National Museum 

 will be established at Ottawa and properly maintained. It is an 

 urgent necessity that a Central Bureau exist, where not only infor- 

 mation on all kinds of subjects can be obtained from specialists, 

 but a record may be kept of the information gathered from the 

 result of studies made in connection with the resources of -our 

 great Dominion, sent from al directions. The incalculable value 

 to the United States of the National Museum has been recognized 

 by Congress, and it is hoped that our Canadian statesmen will see 

 that before long a suitable building shall be erected and a 

 thoroughly equipped staff" established, so that we can take our 

 place and properly exhibit and illustrate those wonderful natural 

 resources which we possess in our own country, Canada. 



H. M. A. 



TO OUR READERS. 



Although there is actually no time of the year when nothing 

 can be seen or collected by the naturalist, the collecting season in 

 most branches of natural history study is now practically over ; 

 there is, however, much good work for our members yet to do. 

 All collections should be put in order for exhibition and notes 

 revised for presentation at the winter soirees. All should realise 

 that what has interested or seemed new and strange to them in 

 their out-door observations will also be of interest to many others. 

 Short, consise notes, with specimens if possible, are what we par- 

 ticularly want at our evening meetings. These will give a live 

 character to the meetings and make the Club more and more use- 

 ful and attractive. — J. P., Act'g Editor. 



