LXXVI ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



specimens, spectroscopic exhiljition. vocal unci instrumental selections, 

 and short addresses bj' the presidents of the society and of the club. The 

 following is a list of the lectures delivered. They were all very well 

 attended, and well received. There can be no question as to their 

 stimulating and educational influence. The amalgamation has proved 

 such a marked success that it is proposed to give a similar series of 

 lectures the coming winter. 



1895. 

 Nov. 26— Conversazione, 

 Dec. 5 — '• The relation of Botany to Agriculture," Prof. Maeoun. 



■' Insects of the IJocky Mountains," Dr. J. Fletcher. 

 Dec. 12 — '• A (h-eek Tragedy,' by Prof. McNaughton of Queen's. 



1896. 

 .Tan. 23 — ■• Extinct Monsters," by Dr. 11. M. Ami, with limelight illus- 

 trations. 

 .Tan. 30 — •■ ]îecent explorations in Labrador, with limelight views," by 



Mr. A. P. Low. 

 Feb. 6—" How to study Botany,' by Dr. T. J. W. Burgess. 

 Feb. 20—" Pompeii," by Dr. F. D. Adams, of McGill. 

 March 5 — " Eggs and nests of Fishes," by Prof. E. I^. Prince. 



'• Bacteria, their functions in nature," by Mr. F. T. Shutt. 

 Owing to the fact that but few new books have been added to the 

 library during the 3'ear, the number of issues is considerably less than 

 that reported last year. The total number issued was 5,001, distributed 

 in different classes as follows : 



History and l)iogra])hy 89 



Travels 50 



Fiction 4,586 



Poetry Tl 



General literature 60 



Theology 2 



Chemistry and natural history 3 



Astronomy and mathematics. . . . ., 11 



Science and art 30 



Bound magazines 159 



The number of persons who took out these books was 259, The 

 abnormally large ])ercentage of fiction is admittedly not satisfactor3^ To 

 enter into a discussion of the cause or causes thereof is outside of this 

 report. 



The reading room is supplied with the leading papers and the best 

 of current literature. It continues to be much used. 



It seems ])i-oper to refer to the great interest that was manifested by 

 a large section of the community during the past year in the scheme of a 

 free library, supported by municipal taxation. Although a very large 



