116 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Yol. vii. 



been mounted on tablets, if dry preparations, or put into separate 

 bottles with alcohol, if the nature of the specimens required that 

 mode of treatment. The strain upon the eyes caused by pro- 

 longed use of towing nets at sea, and in protracted microscopic 

 work at the office, has been considerable. The correspondence 

 involved, in order to attain successful results, has also taken up 

 much time. 



It is much to be regretted, that in consequence of lack of 

 funds, the Society has not been able to provide suitable cases, in 

 which these and other alcoholic preparations can be exhibited to 

 the public. At present the collections made in 1871 and 1872, 

 as well as many other objects of great scientific interest and 

 value, are almost unavailable to the student, and are wholly so to 

 the general run of visitors, for want of proper accommodation. 



At intervals, when my eyes required rest, after close applica- 

 tion to the microscope, some progress has been made in mounting 

 my own collection of shells for the use of those who wish to 

 consult it. About 300 species have been mounted on tablets 

 and labelled. 



During the past year the donations to the Museum have been 

 unusually small. So far as birds and mammals are concerned, 

 this may have arisen from the state of the law on the subject. 

 During the last session of the Quebec Legislature, eftbrts were 

 made to induce the G-oveanment to permit the granting of licen- 

 ses to enable naturalists to procure specimens of birds or their 

 eggs for bona fide scientific purposes. Through the kindness of 

 the Hon. James Ferrier, one of the most generous benefactors to 

 this Society, the requisite clause was inserted in the Act for the 

 protection of insectivorous birds. It is hoped that the eff'ect of 

 this measure will ultimately be to largely increase the Society's 

 collection of native birds and mammals. 



An interesting series of the Muridoe (mice, meadow-mice, rats, 

 &c.) of this Continent has been received from the Smithsonian 

 Institute, carefully named by Dr. Elliot Coues. The collection 

 contains many species new to our Museum, and would have been 

 a most valuable addition to the few North American mammals 

 in our cases, but unfortunately the skins are so badly preserved 

 that it was found to be impossible to mount them for public 

 exhibition. 



As a cheering omen for the session just about to commence, it 

 may be mentioned that advices have just been received of a 



