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arrived at arranged and presented at the winter sessions, after which 

 the final results can be presented to the Royal Society of Canada in a 

 series of papers which would form a most valuable contribution to our 

 store of scientific knowledge, and which would be, by this society, put 

 on record, and in case of doubtful points, could there be further dis- 

 cussed and the points in dispute carefully considered and settled. The 

 question, then, of extending our membership in the way just indicated 

 is one which I feel should be earnestly and speedily considered, and I 

 am convinced that such a course will be conducive to the highest possi- 

 ble gain to our club as a whole and to the furtherance of scientific 

 investigation throughout the Dominion. 



I have had considerable difficulty in arriving at any conclusion 

 as to what would be most profitable to present to the Club's considera- 

 tion to-night in this opening address ; for 1 think it will be unnecessary 

 to designate the few remarks I may have to make by the title of 

 lecture. You will see by reference to the programme of our winter 

 courses, both for the evening and afternoon lectures, that there is an 

 unusually good variety of material, embracing the Animal, Vegetable 

 and Mineral Kingdoms. Among the latter we shall, I trust, have the 

 pleasure of learning about the mode of occurrence, peculiarities and 

 distribution of that important substance, mineral phosphate, concerning 

 which Mr. Lainson Wills has kindly promised to give us some informa- 

 tion, while in the department of Canadian gems we may also expect a 

 treat in the contemplation of really beautiful things; for although 

 Canada cannot as yet produce the diamond, the ruby or the emerald, 

 she can furnish exquisite gems for personal ornament or for interior 

 decoration, as you will be enabled to testify after seeing the exhibit 

 which will, doubtless, be made on that occasion. The mode of occur- 

 rence and characteristics of that very peculiar mineral asbestus, are also 

 to be described. In the department of Natural History you will 'ear 

 our ever-welcome friend, Mr. Lett, who will tell us of the habits and 

 peculiarities of the beaver, an animal now unfortunately rapidly becom- 

 ing extinct in Eastern Canada owing to the fact that it is hunted very 

 often without regard to proper observance of close seasons ; while 

 botany, in the more familiar form to many of garden decoration, will be 

 discussed by one of the staff of the Central Experimental Earm. In 



