8 The Ottawa Naturalist [April 



"Mountain Sprites" that allure the entomologist to their wind- 

 swept homes. Dr. Ami, who represented the Geological Survey 

 at the Centenary of the Geological Society of London, recounted 

 interesting incidents of that gathering. Prof. F. T. Shutt 

 followed with a paper on "Rain and Snow," describing the 

 influence of these elements of nature in the industrial world, 

 in the agricultural world, and upon the health of the race. Mr 

 Halkett, who spent the sum.mer collecting in Alberta and Sas- 

 katchewan, submitted a list of the fishes of these two provinces, 

 and described many interesting features of the birds and 

 mammals observed. 



At the second soiree, held on January 7th, Dr. P. H. 

 Bryce delivered an address on "Some Sanitary Considerations 

 in the Construction, Heating, and Ventilation of Dwellings." 

 A verbatim report of this able address will appear in an early 

 number of The Ottawa Naturalist. 



The programme for January 21st brought out a large 

 audience including several local apiarists. Mr. P. H. Selwyn 

 gave an address on "The Life and Work of the Honey Bee, as 

 observed from Spring to Fall," and Dr. Fletcher spoke of "The 

 Honey Bee and Other Bees." Both addresses were published 

 almost in full in the February number of The Ottawa Natur- 

 alist. 



On February 4th the President, Mr. W. J. Wilson, described 

 "The Height of Land Country between the St. Lawrence and 

 the Hudson Bay Waters." He showed a map of the country 

 and' explained the various topographical features, mentioning 

 that there are large areas of good clay soil, but also much swamp 

 and muskeg. He described, and illustrated by means of lantern 

 slides, the various types of forest covering the country. The 

 Height of Land is rather a broad plateau than a sharp dividing 

 ridge. The rivers flowing from this plateau descend several 

 hundred feet before they reach the coastal plain; and in this 

 distance, they form many waterfalls which can be made to 

 produce almost unlimited power. The lecturer illustrated the 

 mode of travel, described the Indians of the district, and spoke 

 of the abundance of fish, especial] v the speckled trout, with 

 which most of the rivers teem. 



At the following soiree, held on February 18th, Dr. Chas. 

 Saunders, Cerealist, Dominion Experimental Farms, gave a 

 valuable address on "Wheat, its Improvement and Uses." 

 After pointing out the reasons for the steadv increase in the 

 popularity of wheat as human food, the lecturer discussed the 

 methods available for the improvement of this cereal, especially 

 those employed on the Experimental Farms. The operations 

 of cross fertilization and selection were illustrated bv lantern 



