Natural History Society of Montreal. 1 5 1 



materials as you have here collected in Montreal. In the few years 

 that Canada has been making progress, its progress has been 

 great, and if any feeling akin to jealousy could spring up in my 

 mind, it would be the fear lest Canada, in point of scientific 

 attainments, should in a few years distance us on the other side. 

 In my lessons in geography, as a school-boy, some quarter of a 

 century ago, I remember that we read of Canada as being almost 

 a wilderness, and that it was principally known for its exports of 

 lumber and fur. (Laughter.) But, if 30 years ago, Canada was 

 only known for her lumber and her furs, in 1851 and 1855, at 

 the London and Paris exhibitions, Canada was known for 

 something else, namely, the abundance of her economic resources, 

 brought to light by the investigations of her geologists. If we 

 look at the records of science during the last fifteen years, I think 

 they will bear out the statement that no state or country on this 

 or on the other side of ihe Atlantic has male more rapid progress 

 in scientific investigations than Canada has done during that 

 period. (Applause.) I have mentioned only a few of the things 

 you have done, principally to eucourage you to go on and do still 

 more. I would urge upon one and all of you to go on building 

 up this Natural History Society as a great centre, where you 

 will not merely accumulate material shewing what Canada can 

 produce, but where you will have a collection in which comparisons 

 can be mi le in all the departments of natural history, and where 

 the student can go to ascertain the names of the objects he is 

 studying, and to see in what respects he can assist in still further 

 enriching the collection. This is an encouraging prospect, and I 

 would only say in closing — so labour that when your children and 

 children's children come hereafter to look at the records of Cana- 

 dian science, they may be able to say — " How much has been done 

 by those who have gone before us ; let us not be remiss in our 

 duty, but let us goon extending, and still extending what has been 

 done by our forefathers." (Loud applause.) 



The meeting then adjourned half anliour for refreshments, and 

 conversation. 



The President having again taken the Chair, 



Hon. Mr. Ciiauveatj rose and said he felt more than he could 

 express, at being called upon on an occasion like this to address 

 some observations to such an intellectual as well as such a bril- 

 liant assemblage. Every one who wished for the advancement 

 of science must feel proud that the Natural History Society of 



