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We stroll along the railroad track, walking tediously upon the 

 sleepers. There is no danger! Only two trains pass each day, the 

 one going northwards in the evening, and the same one returning 

 the following morning. Even little children are accustomed to 

 walk often several miles, barefooted in summer, along the track. 

 Indeed it is the principal thoroughfare for pedestrians. We see no 

 paths, no fences, nothing made by man, except the single line of 

 the railroad, bounded on either side by the virgin bush. The wide 

 margins are overgrown with low plants, lovely flowers, and curious 

 shrubs. We go as far as the great solitary " hemlock " left standing 

 on the broad clearing. We sit and rest here a few minutes while 

 the daylight fades. Darkness falls swiftly, and we soon rise to 

 retrace our steps turning our eyes heavenwards. There, high above, 

 stretched across the starry sky, almost from horizon to horizon, 

 depends a diaphanous curtain of soft and faintly emerald light. 

 Like most delicate fabric of gossamer it hangs, as if caught up on 

 unseen supports, placed at frequent intervals and at varying heights 

 in the firmament, but throughout its length of nearly uniform width. 

 Now the light increases in intensity, only to fade as speedily into 

 obscurity. Never for a moment is it at rest. While one watches a 

 patch here growing each second more bright, the remainder 

 becomes fainter till it completely vanishes, only to break out again 

 the next moment as brilliantly as ever. The amoeba is not more 

 protean in its changes of form. 



After a few minutes, all too brief, the glorious vision disappears. 

 The silvery drapery, woven on celestial looms, is withdrawn by 

 invisible hands into illimitable space. The display is over, and 

 the constant stars alone remain to light us on our homeward way. On 

 one occasion only I saw this magnificent phenomenon of the Aurora- 

 borealis presented in all the colours of the rainbow. 



Before quitting the chair I wish to ofter my sincere thanks to the 

 Council and Members for all the assistance and kindness I have 

 received in my efforts to perform, to the best of my ability, the 

 duties connected with this office. My best thanks are also due to 

 the Council for their kind wish to nominate me for election as your 

 President for a second year — an invitation which, mainly owing to 

 my indifferent health, I regret I was unable to accept. 



My final duty is the extremely pleasant one of uniting with you 

 all in extending a hearty welcome to our new President, Capt, N. 

 D. Kiley, F.E.S., F.Z.S. 



