376 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. , [Vol. ix. 



incidentally observe is at Igast one reason why the Society and 

 the Survey should be permitted to continue to live together in 

 Montreal. 



In 1841 the Government thought of uniting the Society, the 

 Mechanics' Institute, and the Montreal Library, and of forming- 

 one Institution to be known as the " Montreal Institution of 

 Literature, Science and Arts." This new association was to 

 have its home in the Bousecours market buildino;, and to receive 

 from the city an annual donation of £300, but the intention of 

 the Government was never carried out. and our Society still 

 lives alone. 



Its life was considerably strengthened and its length of days 

 secured by a generous donation of £1000 given by the Rev. Mr. 

 James Sommerville. in 1845, to establish and perpetuate a 

 regular course of public lectures. In 1846 the Society, wishing 

 to interest the citizens in its work, opened its museum to the 

 public ; and in the following year, when Lord Elgin was patron, 

 the Society resolved to publish all the approved essays it 

 possessed. To encourage the essayists and to increase the num- 

 bers, three prizes were voted for the best essays on subjects of 

 natural history. That year the members num bered 144. 



From the Report of the Chairman of Council you will learn 

 what the Society has done during the past year. But I think I 

 may supplement that report with some facts and reflections that 

 will not be without interest. You will doubtless be gratified to 

 learn that the Society has made considerable progress during the 

 year. This progress indeed has not been perhaps all that 

 could be desired, yet it has been steady and sure, and such as 

 gives promise of lasting success. The monthly meetings have 

 been regularly held, and many most interesting and valuable 

 papers have been read, showing exact and extensive original 

 research. 



We believe that there is at present sufficient ability in our 

 Society to raise it to the foremost rank of scientific and literary 

 excellence. We need only to concentrate our mental energy and 

 so to divide our forces that wise distribution may increase our 

 strenoth. I would therefore suijoest that committees be formed 



O e'er" 



to consider the distinct and various subjects of the different de- 

 partments. 



Such a judicious division of labor would be likely to secure 

 greater interest in individual work, and greater order in general 



