XXIV ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
recently devastated so much of the capital has opened our eyes to the 
fact that the whole might be swept away in a few hours. The building 
is not fireproof ; it is surrounded by many other buildings which are 
liable at any time to be destroyed by fire; it contains a collection 
gathered from all parts of the country with great labour and at great 
cost since the Survey was first organized in 1843. We have here the 
results of continuous and extended researches which have entered into 
the literature of geological science not of Canada only but of the entire 
civilized world. To allow such a typical and historic collection to be 
destroyed for want of a proper building would not be creditable to the 
Dominion. 
“While attention has already been frequently directed to the 
subject, this Society considers it a duty it owes to the public again in a 
special manner to bring the matter to the notice of the Government. 
“The Royal Society has, therefore, appointed this delegation respect- 
fully to represent to His Excellency in Council, that, in the public 
interests, it is desirable and necessary to take effective action and pro- 
vide without loss of time a fireproof isolated building for the security 
of the present collection of specimens. At the same time to have in 
view the extension of the building on an adequate scale for the accom- 
modation of future collections, and eventually the establishment of a 
national museum which will be worthy of the Dominion.” 
The motion was agreed to, and the following delegation appointed 
to wait on the Prime Minister and present the foregoing memorial : 
Rev. Professor W. Clark, President of the Society. 
Dr. L. Fréchette, Vice-President of the Society. 
Hon. I. G. Marchand, representing Section No. 1. 
Hon. Joseph Royal, representing Section No. 1. 
George Murray, Esq., representing Section No. 2. 
Dr. George Stewart, Secretary of Section No. 2. 
Professor Cox, President of Section No. 3. 
Principal Loudon, Vice-President of Section No. 3. 
Sir James Grant, representing Section No. 4. 
L’Abbé Laflamme, representing Section No. 4. 
Additional members—Dr. George M. Dawson, Sir Sandford Fleming. 
The delegates of Associated Societies were then called upon to read 
their annual reports, which appear at length as Appendix C. 
EVENING SESSION. (May 29th.) 
In the evening the President, Reverend Professor Clark, LL.D., 
delivered the Presidential Address, which appears at end of Minutes of 
Proceedings, infra, p. xxxiii. 
