1902] To Our Ottawa Members. 237 



TO OUR OTTAWA MEMBERS. 



Half the Club's year has passed — half is before us. Each 

 season should have for our members its own particular work 

 and interests. Apart from the publication of The Ottawa 

 Naturalist, the two chief features of our organized life are the 

 summer excursions and the winter lecture course. We all regret 

 extremely that owing to untoward circumstances — principally un- 

 favourable weather — our general excursions were not perhaps as 

 successful as in past years. The sub-excursions, at the opening 

 of the season, were well attended and the leaders report good col- 

 lections being made. 



The Soirde Committee appeal to the members to make the 

 remainder of our year as successful as possible. Everyone can 

 help towards this end by attendance at the lectures and by an in- 

 telligent interest in the subjects discussed. 



The Council has made a departure this year — a most im- 

 portant one, one which should commend itself to all. As will be 

 seen by the programme, we have secured for three nights of the 

 course several new lecturers, some from outside the city — two 

 from Montreal and one from London, Ontario. These lecturers, 

 are well known men — specialists upon the subjects they will dis- 

 cuss, and we feel there is a great treat in store for us. 



As Chairman of the Lecture Committee, may I invite, or if 

 necessary, urge, regular attendance throughout the course, which 

 will^be found one of particular interest. But if regular attendance 

 is impossible, every member should strive to be present on the 

 evenings when our visiting lecturers are with us. Come and 

 bring your friends. Let us have the hall full, and thus show our 

 appreciation of their kindness. 



One word further. We should very much like to see fifty new 

 names added to the membership roll this winter. To meet the 

 increased expenditure in connection with the lecture course the 

 money is needed, but altogether apart from that aspect, we want 

 the members. It we all make some little effort, this increase is 

 quite feasible. Every year, if the Club is vigorous and doing its 

 work, should see an accession of members, but for several years 

 past the proposals of new names for membership have not been as 

 numerous as they might have been. 



Finally, keep your programme where you can at all times 

 refer to it, and let our Tuesday evenings have the first claim 

 among your engagements. 



F. T. Shutt. 



