51 



of daily life, when following their avocations, but can spare a day or part 

 of a day now and again to watch the workings of God in nature, and 

 acquaint themselves with his works. In a comparatively new country 

 there may be for a time but few who tlius care to spend any spare hours 

 they may happen to have ; but these few will increase. I seldom meet 

 with a kindred spirit though no doubt such are on the increase; but 1 feel 

 sure that such an institution as the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club seems 

 to be, is best calculated to produce a sentiment of love for nature, and 

 a yearning for knowledge of those things which are placed wiihin the 

 reach of most of us. 



■'ro: 



EXCURSION No. i.— TO THE CASCADES OF THE 



GATINEAU. 



The first excursion of the season was held on Saturday, June 4th, 

 and was one of the most successful that has ever taken place under the 

 auspices of the Club. Amongst those who availed themselves of this 

 opportunity to visit the beautiful Gatineau Valley were several members 

 of the Club who live at a distance, but who were in Ottawa either 

 attending the meeting of the Royal Society of Canada or the session of 

 Parliament. 



A large and happy party of excursionists left the Union Station at 

 9.45 a.m. by the new Gatineau Valley Railway, and ascended that wild 

 and important tributary of the Ottawa, which rising away in the far 

 north beyond the head waters of the Ottawa itself, flows almost due 

 south from its source and joins the Grand River at right angles to its 

 course a mile below the city. Everything conspired to make the trip 

 pleasant, the weather was simply perfect. Old Sol shed his genial 

 warmth over the fresh spring landscape, the air was clear but there was 

 no rain, a grateful coolness pervaded the broad and beautiful valley up 

 which the railway winds its way. The run from Ottawa to the Cascades 

 was delightful and refreshing. The cars were new and clean, there was 

 no dust, and above all, there were no mosquitoes, and the railway officials 

 were most attentive and courteous. From the time Hull and"1f. j Can- 



