PRWEEDINGS FOU 1896 LUI 



1. The formation of complete provincial herbaria at least in one 

 central locality in each province, then as many local herbaria as may be 

 desirable. By means of free exchanges the Dominion Herbarium at 

 Ottawa could very effectively assist such institutions. The principal or 

 most active university in each province would form a very convenient 

 locus for each provincial herbarium. If the authoi-ities of one institution 

 did not make an eifort, those of another would no doubt be ready to do so. 



2. The observation of the complete flora of each locality ; the report- 

 ing of the same as previously suggested in bulletins of the club ; the 

 free exchange, for purposes of determination, of species and varieties, 

 with the " Cui-ator of the Herbarium of the Geological Survey of Canada 

 Ottawa (the Dominion Herbarium)," as indicated in bulletins, and the 

 formation of local herbaria in all academies or high schools of good 

 standing. 



3. Phenological observations as indicated in bulletins, and in the fol- 

 lowing summary of those made during the last year. The exact dates of 

 the (first) flowering of plants in spring, leafing of trees, ripening of fruits, 

 migration of birds, and the more common meteorological phenomena 

 should be recorded systematically, not only by individual members, but 

 by every school in the country possible. There, teachers would find it 

 one of the most convenient means for the stimulation of pupils in observ- 

 ing all natural phenorhena when going to and from the school, some of 

 the pupils radiating as far as two miles from the school-room. The 

 " nature study, " under such circumstances, would be mainly under- 

 taken at a very convenient time, without encroaching on school hours ; 

 while, on the other hand, it would tend to break up the monotony of 

 school travel, and till an idle and wearisome hour with interest and one 

 of the most valuable forms of educational discipline. The eyes of a 

 whole school daily passing over a whole school district would let very 

 little escape notice, especially if the first observer of each annual recur- 

 ring phenomenon would have his or her name recorded in the " Nature 

 Record" book of the school as the first observer of the phenomenon for 

 that year. The observations would be accurate as the facts would have 

 to be demonstrated by the most undoubted evidence such as the brino-ino- 

 of the specimens to the school when possible or desirable. 



To all observers the foUowmg most important, most essential prin- 

 ciples of recording are emphasized. Better no date, no record,- than 

 a wrong one or a doubtful one. Sports out of season due to very 

 local conditions not common to at least a small field should not be 

 recorded except parentheticall3^ The date to be recorded for the pur- 

 poses of compilations with those of other localities should be the first of 

 the many of its kind flowering immediately after, &c. For instance, a 

 butterfly emerging from its chrysalis in a sheltered cranny by a southern 

 window in January would not be an indication of the general climate, 



