No. 5.] NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 301 



vast aud naturally wealthy regions productive of subsistence for 

 millions of men. 



When I look forward to the future of this country and base 

 my anticipations, not on the merely human elements of to-day, 

 but on the geologic treasures laid up in past ages, I see the 

 Dominion of Canada with a population as great as that of the 

 United States, and with some of the greatest and wealthiest 

 cities of this continent iu Nova Scotia and British Columbia. 

 Geologists are not merely prophets of the past, they know some- 

 thing of the future as well. It might perhaps be well if we 

 could inoculate our statesmen with a healthy belief in the geo- 

 logical future of Canada, or even with some faint idea of the 

 billions of dollars of accessible treasures that lie beneath the soil 

 of British Columbia aud Nova Scotia. We might then see 

 them put forth some effort to realize this El Dorado within the 

 time of those now living, rather than contentedly allow it to wait 

 the action of men wiser and more energetic than ourselves. 



Of the future of our own Society I shall say little. Much 

 must depend on a judicious selection of officers, much on the 

 liberality which the public may extend to us, much on the earnest 

 efforts which our working members may pnt forth, and this not 

 merely in the pursuit of new truths, but in cultivating iu others 

 a desire for that knowledge which we know from our own ex- 

 perience to be in itself one of the richest treasures which the 

 world affords. 



It is a matter of deep regret to us on this occasion that a 

 recent Act of the Dominion Parliament renders it possible that 

 the Geological Survey of Canada, which has since its commence- 

 ment had its domicile in this city as the centre of commerce and 

 practical science in the Dominion, may within one or two years 

 be removed to Ottawa. That this, should it be carried into effect, 

 would be a serious loss to this Society, the large number of 

 papers and lectures contributed by members of the Survey, and 

 the active part they have taken in the management of its affairs 

 as officers and members testify. The removal of the Survey 

 would also have its effect on the University, and on the interests 

 .of the numerous students who resort to this city for education, as 

 well as on those of gentlemen connected with the numerous min- 

 ing and similar enterprises which have their centre here. Nor 

 would such removal be without injurious influence on the Survey 

 itself. This Society was the first public body to urge on the 



