230 Annual Meeting of the 



many as our whole previous numbers. When I look bact upon 

 the state of the Society some ten years ago, at the time of 

 my first becoming a member of it, when I think of the feeble 

 efforts it was then making for the mere preservation of its actual 

 existence, when I contemplate the names now on our list, both as 

 to numbers, and, in so many instances, as to standing and well 

 earned reputation, as men of science and learning, the good re- 

 sults of whose labours are acknowledged far and wide, wherever 

 natural science is valued and cultivated, when I look at our pres- 

 ent place of meeting with its well arranged museum, laboratory, 

 library, and lecture room, when I see how and by whom I am 

 now surrounded and supported, I begin with some confidence to 

 realize the truth of the motto which the Society has adopted, and 

 I feel that it is indeed becoming no idle boast to assert, " Tandem 

 fit surculus arbor." And though our usefulness and progress are 

 still very much crippled by the remaining debt due by the Society, 

 incurred by erection of this building in which we are now as- 

 sembled ; yet 1 cannot but entertain a strong hope that, by the 

 increasing support of our fellow-citizens, which it is our endeavour 

 to merit by our labours, we shall, at no distant day be entirely 

 relieved from this incumbrance. 



Report op Council. 



The period having arrived when it becomes the duty of your 

 Council to lay before you the usual Annual Report, they have 

 now the pleasure of presenting you their Report of progress dur- 

 ing the past year, and such a statement of the affairs of the So- 

 ciety as they hope will meet with your entire approval. 



The Society during the past year has steadily advanced and 

 prospered. Many valuable and interesting papers have been 

 read, the monthly meetings have been well attended, and the 

 Somerville Course of Lectures delivered to large audiences. Im- 

 portant additions have been made to the Museum and the Lib- 

 rary, the list of members has largely increased, and the amount of 

 dues received from this source has improved the finances of the 

 Society. The publication of the " Canadian Naturalist and Geo- 

 logist " has been continued with increased efficiency, and its cir- 

 culation much extended. 



LECTURES. 



The following Annual Free Course of Somerville Lectures was 

 delivered under the auspices of the Society : 



