1870.] NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 207 



received, by presenting to him its medal — yet its earnest desire 

 to place on record, not merely on its own behalf, but on that of 

 all the students of natural science in Canada, its high estimation 

 of the value of his services in creating, as well as directing, the 

 Geological Survey of this country ; in promoting the development 

 of its mineral resources; in stimulating and aiding the efforts of 

 scientific institutions, and in extending throughout the world the 

 name of Canadian science. The resolutions also express our high 

 appreciation of Sir William's admirable personal qualities, our 

 hope that he may be spared for many years to Canada and science, 

 and that the relief from official cares may give him the ojDportu- 

 nity to pursue to completion the researches in scientific geology 

 in which he is now engaged. Tu the sentiments of these resolu- 

 tions I am sure all who are here to-night, but who were absent 

 when they were offered, will full and cordially concur, and at the 

 same time unite with me in felicitating the " Survey" and the 

 cause of geological science, that Sir William's mantle should have 

 fallen on so worthy a successor as Mr. Selwyn, whose laurels 

 already gathered as director of the Geological Survey in Victoria 

 will doubtless multiply and extend themselves in the new and 

 larger field to which he has been called. 



The proceedings to which I have just adverted will find record 

 in the Society's organ, The Canadian Naturalist, and it may be 

 proper that I should here say a few words respecting this publi- 

 cation, especially as I have not been editorially or otherwise 

 connected with the volume just completed. This volume forms 

 the fourth of the new series and the first of its publication as a 

 quarterly, and I venture to say that we have much cause for 

 gratification and pride at its appearance, especially when we look 

 to the difficulties attendant upon its production. These difficulties 

 are both of a financial and literary character — the various valuable 

 articles consisting entirely of voluntary contributions — and it is to 

 be feared that not all the members of this Society sufficiently 

 realize or ponder these great difficulties. It must be a source of 

 congratulation to the Editing Committee that they have been 

 enabled to publish the volume within the year — a feat not always 

 accomplished either by the Naturalist, or by the publications of 

 sister societies in the Dominion. We need but look at the varied 

 and valuable contributions in this volume to be satisfied that it 

 has not been surpassed by any before it. And what will be 

 considered a very gratifying fact is, that the original articles of 



