346 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Oct. 



qualities, by which the vitality of scientific research is maintained, 

 and its benefits diffused among the provincial institutions of the 

 empire. 



Such, gentlemen, are some of the thoughts which fill the 

 minds of those, who, like our Brewster, and Harcourt, and Forbes, 

 and Murchison, and Daubeny, stood anxious but hopeful, by the 

 cradle of this British Association ; and who now meet to judge of 

 its strength, and measure its progress. When, more than thirty 

 years ago, this Parliament of Science came into being, its first 

 child-language was employed to ask questions of nature ; now, in 

 riper years, it founds on the answers received further and more 

 definite enquiries directed to the same prolific source of useful 

 knowledge. Of researches in science completed, in progress, or in 

 beginning, each of our annual volumes contains some three hun- 

 dred or more passing notices, or full and permanent records. This 

 digest and monument of our labors, is, indeed, in some respects, 

 incomplete, since it does not always contain the narrative or the 

 result of undertakings which we started, or fostered, or sustained ; 

 and I own to having experienced on this account once or twice a 

 feeling of regret. But the regret was soon lost in the gratifica- 

 tion of knowing that other and equally beneficial channels of pub- 

 lication had been found ; and that by these examples it was proved 

 how truly the Association kept to the real purpose of its founda- 

 tion, ' the Advancement of Science,' and how heartily it rejoiced 

 in this advancement without looking too closely to its own share in 

 the triumph. Here, indeed, is the stronghold of the British Asso- 

 ciation. Wherever and by whatever means sound learning and 

 useful knowledge are advanced, these to us are friends. Whoever 

 is privileged to step beyond his fellows on the road of scientific dis- 

 covery, will receive our applause, and, if need be, our help. Wel- 

 coming and joining in the labor of all, we shall keep our place 

 among those who clear the roads and remove the obstacles from the 

 paths of science ; and whatever be our own success in the rich 

 fields which lie before us, however little we may now know, we 

 shall prove, that in this our day we know at least the value of 

 knowledge, and join hearts and hands in the endeavor to pro- 

 mote it. 



Sir Roderick Murchison proposed a vote of thanks to the Presi- 

 dent, for his address, in highly eulogistic t3rms. 



