132 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Dec. 



zinc, are found always present in the sun's atmosphere in a state 

 of vapour. 



The possession of an atmosphere by the moon has been the 

 subject of frequent investigation and conjecture ; but, by the 

 spectrum analysis, it is now rendered certain that the moon has 

 no atmosphere, at least on that side presented to our view. This 

 has been lately further confirmed by observing the different spectra 

 shown by the occultation of a star by the moon at the moment of 

 contact, by obtaining the two separate spectra at once in the field 

 of view. 



It may be thought that the few remarks on the branches of 

 science to which I have more immediately alluded, do not fairly 

 come within the scope of the Natural History Society. But as, in 

 looking over the annual addresses for the past few years, I found 

 no account of any of the progressive steps in the sciences gene- 

 rally, except in those of Geology and Botany, I deemed it not 

 unworthy to allude to some of these more recent researches in 

 other departments of physical science. 



I ought not to close this short address without expressing my 

 great regret that Montreal does not possess any adequate means, 

 owing to the want of proper instruments, for prosecuting the 

 science of Astronomy. A climate like that of Lower Canada, 

 which furnishes, upon an average, 120 nights in a year suitable 

 for celestial observation, offers a vast field for astronomical labours, 

 and also for the investigations now being carried on in celestial 

 chemistry, and the spectum analysis. Since our last annual 

 meeting, many original papers on subjects more intimately 

 connected with Natural History have been read before the Society, 

 or printed in the Canadian Naturalist, the perusal of which will 

 shew that many new and curious facts have been observed and 

 recorded, bearing upon the geology, zoology and botany of British 

 North America. These papers will furnish evidence that the 

 members of this Society have not been idle during the past session, 

 and that some of them have devoted a considerable time to the 

 study of those objects which come more directly within its scope. 

 Those who are more particularly engaged in the study of natural 

 history in Canada, know further that investigations have been 

 carried on during the past Summer, the results of which have not 

 yet been recorded. Among the papers to which I may more 

 particularly refer are : four on Geology and Palaeontology, by 

 Dawson, Billings, Packard and Whiteaves ; four on Zoology, by 



