204 The Ottawa Naturalist. [February 



the trend of thought of the man whose subsequent life led him 

 into enquiries of the highest scientific type, whose writings are now 

 held in the highest esteem and well known the whole scientific 

 world over. It was during these years of residence in Bytown 

 that he began the systematic study of the fossiliferous rocks which 

 are so extensively developed along the banks of the Ottawa River 

 in the vicinity of our city. Probably at first entered upon more as 

 a pastime and relaxation from his journalistic duties, these 

 researches culminated in his final adoption of geological studies, 

 especially in the department of fossil organic remains, for the 

 remainder of his life. The magnificent collections of crinoids, 

 cystideans and star-fishes from the Trenton limestone of Ottawa 

 that are now exhibited in the Museum of the Geological Survey of 

 Canada, testify to his remarkable success and energies in these 

 researches, for it must be remarked that these organisms are ex- 

 tremely rare and great diligence as well as patience must be 

 exercised if satisfactory results are to be expected. 



Early in 1856 Mr. Billings issued the first number of the 

 " Canadian Naturalist," of which and the succeeding numbers of 

 the first volume he was practically the sole contributor. The pro- 

 duction of this number marks an epoch in the history of the pro- 

 gress of scientific research and discussion in Canada. The articles 

 contained in the first volume of the " Canadian Naturalist and 

 Geologist" at once stamp Mr. Billings as a master in the descrip- 

 tion of fossil organic remains as well as of recent natural history 

 objects. 



Previous to the issue of this magazine, Mr. Billings had been 

 brought into direct communication with Sir William Logan, then 

 Director of the Geological Survey of Canada, and it was not long, 

 yea, but few months elapse i, before tha latter with his usual c'ear- 

 sightedness engaged the services of Mr. Billings, his friend, as 

 Palaeontologist to the Geological Survey of Canada. It was in 

 August, 1856, that Mr, Billings entered upon his duties as Govern- 

 ment Palaeontologist, and until his death which took place June 

 14, 1876, a period of nearly twenty years elapsed in which he 

 worked ceaselessly in the domain of palaeontology and in assist- 

 ing his chief and director in assigning geological horizons to the 



