276 The Ottawa Naturalist. [February 



This is the first opportunity which I have had as your presid- 

 ing officer to thank you for the honour you have done me in placing 

 me in the chair. I make this statement being fully aware of my 

 incompetency and mistakes, but depending upon you all for co- 

 operation and good-will in carrying on in our midst the good work 

 of my predecessors. Coming after such a series of illustrious 

 men as Dr. James Fletcher, Dr. R, W. Ells, Dr. G. M. Dawson, 

 Mr. F. T. Shutt, and Prof. E. E. Prince, not to go back any far- 

 ther, I feel that the task assigned to me as well as the honour 

 bestowed upon me, might have fallen upon much worthier 

 shoulders. It shall be my utmost endeavour during the remainder 

 of my term of office to promote the interests of this Club in all its 

 branches. 



We are not allowed to know very much in this world. Life 

 is intensely short. The world of Nature around us contains 

 myriads of attractive objects from which the highest lessons can 

 be learned and our minds improved. Let us try, then, in some 

 measure, to acquire some accurate idea of something in our 

 vicinity. 



V: 



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