Miscellaneous, 465 



Canada must follow the salutary example of other old establish- 

 ed British Colonies, and conduct for herself investigations into the 

 nature and distribution of her indigenous productions. We 

 already possess in Canada several important scientific societies in 

 active operation. While the Canadian Institute is of a compre- 

 hensive character, embracing all branches of science, literature and 

 philosophy, the special department of geology is amply cultivated 

 by the Natural History Society of Montreal, which has also, 

 however, made vahiable contributions to zoology and botany. In 

 addition to such institutions as these, we have, of still more special 

 character, the Government Geological Survey, which has been 

 instrumental in carrying out investigations of the greatest impor- 

 tance to the country, whether their results be viewed as intel- 

 lectual achievements, or as contributions to material industry. It 

 is proposed that our Society shall have for its object the advance- 

 ment of Botanical Science in all its departments — Structural, 

 Physiological, Systematic and Geographical ; and the application 

 of Botany to the useful and ornamental arts of life. The means by 

 which this object may be accomplished are various, and will come 

 before us for discussion from time to time. In the meantime, 

 it is proposed that there shall be monthly evening meetings in 

 Kingston, during the winter for the reading of papers, receiving 

 botanical inteUigence, examining specimens, and discussing 

 matters of scientific interest in relation to the science ; also that 

 there shall be field meetings during the summer in distant local- 

 ities in Canada, as well as in the other British Provinces of North 

 America, and occasionally also in the adjoining States, whereby 

 our members may have an opportunity, of investigating the bot- 

 any of districts that have been imperfectly examined. By the 

 above and similar means, much important information may be 

 brought together. Such facts and results, new to science, as are 

 laid before the Society, from time to time, willaff'ord materials for 

 the publication of "Transactions," whereby our stores may be 

 rendered available to the public in Canada, and to botanists in 

 other parts of the world. In addition to such means, the Society 

 may greatly promote its objects by correspondence with botanists 

 in other countries, and especially with those who are located be- 

 side the extensive public herbaria, botanical libraries, and gardens, 

 in various parts of the United States and Europe. By corres- 

 pondence with such persons, many doubtful points on nomencla- 

 ture may be set at rest, while the existence of information relating 



