216 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [June 



that the subscription list should be free from arrears. At pre- 

 sent 30 subscriptions only have been received out of a list of 85. 

 The Council feel that it will be impossible for them to maintain 

 the efficiency of this periodical, in which they take a literary 

 pride, unless supported by the prompt discharge of those obliga- 

 tions which the subscribers have undertaken, and upon the good 

 faith of which the Council have assumed the responsibility of its 

 publication. 



Three objects present themselves to your Council as most 

 desirable to secure, and they commend their consideration to their 

 successors, viz : — 



1st. The funding of the Somerville bequest, so as to apply the 

 interest thereof to the extension and success of the Somerville 

 lectures. 



2ndly. The discharge of the debt on the building, so as to 

 enable the Society to be rent free. 



3rdly. The appropriation of the Government grant to the main 

 tainance and increased efficiency of the "Canadian Naturalist" 

 and to the extension of the museum. 



In order to secure these objects, your Council desire to see 

 the current expenses of the Society borne by the annual income 

 by subscription, and to this end feel the necessity of a large 

 accession to the list of members and associates. 



Your Council have been called upon to relinquish the services 

 of their faithful janitor and skilful taxidermist, Mr. W. Hunter, 

 under the painful circumstances of failing health and of domestic 

 bereavement ; and it has been a matter of anxious consideration 

 whether his valuable services can be replaced. 



The retirement of Sir Wm. Logan from the direction of the 

 Geological Survey, has deprived the Society of his valuable pre- 

 sence and aid in the Presidental Chair ; but your Council desire 

 to express their obligations and thanks to the Senior Vice-Presi- 

 dent, Dr. DeSola, who has so efficiently filled his place during the 

 present session. In his able hands the Council have left the 

 review of the ordinary business of the past session. 



The extraordinary meetings, with which so much pleasure 

 was combined with science, were the charming excursion to 

 Beloeil, on the 9th June, to the success of which Dr. T. Sterry 

 Hunt so largely contributed; and the Conversazione of 9th March, 

 when the Society had the honor of receiving H. R. H. Prince 

 Arthur. It is to be regretted that, whilst great efforts were made 



