108 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Yol. 



VI 1. 



we lack means to extend our aceomcdation or even to utilize by 

 new and improved cases the space that we have. With some 

 changes of arrangement and additional cases, our present building 

 might contain and exhibit the collections of the Society for several 

 years to come ; but it would require an annual sum of at least 

 $1,000 at the disposal of our curator, to provide for the neces- 

 sary repairs, additicms and extensions. Were the public suffici- 

 ently alive to the importance of the object, it should not be diffi- 

 cult to realize this amount either by annual subscriptions or by 

 a permanent endowment. In any case we should be prepared to 

 consider within a few years the necessity of enlarging our 

 Museum. 



Our Library has not kept pace with our Museum, and as it 

 cannot in the nature of the case become a popular or general 

 library, but must be mainly one for scientific reference and con- 

 sultation, we are here again in a position which requires extrane- 

 ous aid and endowments^ or the contributions of a large number 

 of members. 



It seems evident, therefore, that if we are to emerge from the 

 present slow and languid condition of our progress, we shall be 

 obliged in the cour -e of not many years to appeal to the liberality 

 of the friends of science on a still lar2:er scale than that which 

 was necessary in the erection of our present building. 



Our journal, the Canadian Naturalist, begins with this year 

 the seventh volume of the new series — fourteen volumes in all 

 having been issued. Its present volume is under the able editor- 

 ship of Dr. Harrington ; and our new arrangement with the pub- 

 lisher enables us to give the journal gratuitously to each of our 

 members, a change which it is hoped will greatly increase their 

 interest in the work of the Society. It is not saying too much to 

 affirm that the Naturalist should be in every Canadian library. 

 It is the only work that affords a complete view of what has 

 been done in the Geology and Natural History of the Dominion 

 during the past fifteen years ; and in the case of all who wish to 

 have means of reference with regard to the natural resources of 

 our country, it must occupy a place side by side with the reports 

 of the Geological Survey. That its list of subscribers is so small 

 beyond the limits of the Society, is not creditable to the prac- 

 tical good sense of our peoj^le ; since independently of other con- 

 siderations there can be no question that the information which 

 it annually contains would, in a practical point of view, many 



