ENTOMOLOGTOAL SOCIETY OF ONTTARIO. 121 



crownino; work of his pen, however, is his " Fruit [nsects," a magiiiti:;ent volume of 436 

 pages, which has rcaclaed the second edition. The book has been received all over the 

 world as the most valuable work of the kind ever published. One reviewer says of the 

 book : 



" We do not think that we are speaking too highly in praise of the work — though 

 'we ad'iiit it is saying a great deal — when we express our opinion that Mr. Saunders's 

 volume will take rank with that standard of excellence, Harris's injurious insects of Mass., 

 and that he has done for insects affecting fruits at the present day what his justly famed 

 predecessor accomplished long ago for those iniurious to vegetation in general." 



It appears that the work was just what was wanted from th^ immense sale of it, 

 about 2,500 copies having been sold. This seems all the more strange when it is stited 

 that the average circulation of entomological works rarely exceeds two or three hundred 

 copies. 



Since 1867 he has been a director of the Fruit Growers' Association of Ontario, and 

 its president since 1882. in his experimental grounds he has tested a great variety of 

 "fruits, laboring constantly to ascertain which are best adapted to the climate of Canada. 

 In this manner he has, by experiments in cross-fertilization, obtained several good rasp- 

 berries, gooseberries and grapes. His interest in horticulture and forestry has prompted 

 him to become familiar with these important departments and caused him to awake 

 •general interest in these matters in the province in which he lives. 



A special commission was appointed by the Government of Ontario, in 1880, to 

 inquire into the progress and condition of agriculture in the Province. As one of the 

 commissioners, Mr. Saunders was charged with the special duty of inquiring into the 

 subjects of fruit growing and forestry, insects and insectivorous birds, and bee keeping. 

 In his report, published in a large 8vo volume of over 850 pages, he treats each of these 

 subjects as one familiar with them, leaving no topic to be hereafter completed. 



As a result of this careful inquiry into the agricultural condition of the Province, 

 the Government caused to be purchased large tracts of land located in the various 

 Provinces, to be known as the Experimental Farms, which were fitted up with all modern 

 appliances and buildings, properly stocked, and then placed Prof. Saunders in charge as 

 Director. Probably nowhere in the Dominion could be found a man so well qualified, 

 by education, tastes and executive ability, as he, to be placed in this responsible position. 

 Already this institution has taken a front rank among similar ones and under Prof. 

 Saunders's charge is destined to become second to none. 



Prof. Saunders's services have been recognized in various ways. Some years ago he 

 received from the Duke of Mantua and Montserrat a handsome gold medal in acknow- 

 ledgment of valuable services in the interests of natural science. He is Fellow of A. A.. 

 A.S. ; of Linnean Society of London, and of Royal Microscopical Society of London, 

 England ; one of the twenty original members of the Royal Society of Canada ; Corres- 

 ponding Member of American Entomological Society ; Natural History Society of 

 Montreal ; Buffalo Society of Natural Science, etc., etc. 



He was married August 1st, 1857, to Sarah Agnes, daughter of Rev. J. H. Robin- 

 son, of London, Ontario. They have six children, one daughter and five sons. Several 

 of the latter have inherited the tastes of their honored sire, and are working their way 

 into public favor. 



Prof. Saunders is five feet ten inches in height, with a symmetrical figt:re, and weighs 

 about 175 pounds. His hair is dark brown, his eyes blue. He is one of the most 

 approachable of men, with a look of kindness ever beaming from his genial countenance, 

 yet with a quiet dignity which forbids familiarity. 



And now our pleasant task is done. Prof. Saunders at last has found a sphere in 

 which his broadly developed abilities have ample space in which to labor. And here we 

 leave him with the agricultural eyes of Canada ever upon him, awaiting developments 

 that are sure to come and wholly for their interests. 



