PROCEEDINGS FOR 1886, V 
countries have met with a very favourable reception, and that a large number of publications are now 
received in the course of the year from foreign societies. So far, on account of the Royal Society’s 
having no place for a library, the value of these exchanges is in a great measure lost to the members 
and other persons who may be desirous of consulting these scientific and literary publications. In 
view of this fact, the Society should, as soon as possible, take into its serious consideration the 
necessity of making provision for suitable rooms where the members can meet as occasion requires. 
It is hoped that in the event of the Government of the Dominion erecting at some future time a suit- 
able building for a National Museum in Ottawa, it will be possible to procure from them the accom- 
modation required by the Society. 
The Council think it advisable to call attention to the difficulty that arises of obtaining a large 
attendance of members of the Society at the Annual Gencral Meetings. The average attendance for 
four years has not exceeded forty-five out of a total membership of eighty Fellows. This year, the 
Colonial and Indian Exhibition has naturally attracted to England a number of gentlemen who have 
taken an active part in the proceedings of the Society. In asking the attention of the Society to this 
subject, the Council would at the same time refer specially to the rule which sets forth, that “Any 
member failing to attend three years in succession, without presenting a paper, or assigning reasons 
in writing satisfactory to the Society, shall be considered to have resigned.” The attention that was 
called to this rule at the Annual General Meeting of 1885, has produced a good effect, since it has 
induced several members to take a more active interest in the work of the Society, by sending 
papers, which will be found of considerable interest and value. In this connection, the Council 
regret to state that Mr. Charles Sangster has sent in a formal resignation of his membership in 
Section I, on account of the condition of his health, which prevents him from taking an active part 
in the work of the Society. Under these circumstances, the Council would recommend that Mr. 
Sangster’s resignation be accepted. 
Some doubts having arisen as to the interpretation to be placed on Rule 6, providing for the 
election of new members, the Council would recommend that the second paragraph of the Rule be 
rescinded, and the following substituted therefor :— 
“The number of members in each section shall be limited to twenty. Any vacancy occurring 
in any Section shall be reported to the Secretary of that Section by the Honorary Secretary, as early 
as possible. The Section shall proceed at the time of the Annual General Meeting to nominate by 
ballot for the filling of such vacancy, The nominations, with reasons stated in writing, shall then be 
transmitted to the Council, and by it submitted for final vote to the Society at its General Meeting of 
the ensuing year.” 
List or MEMBERS PRESENT. 
The Honorary Secretary called over the roll of members, and the following gentlemen responded 
to their names :— 
Dr. Daniel Wilson, Very Rev. T. E. Hamel, Sir W. Dawson, Dr. T. Sterry Hunt, J. G. Bourinot, 
G. T. Denison, Prof. Chapman, A. Lusignan, Dr. R. Bell, J. M. LeMoine, P. Lemay, F. N. Gisborne, 
W. Kirby, Abbé Tanguay, A. D. DeCelles, T. Macfarlane, G. Stewart, Jun., Dr. J. A. Grant, C. H. 
Carpmael, Dr. Sandford Fleming, Dr. G. M. Dawson, G. C. Hoffmann, J. F. Whiteaves, Dr. Withrow, 
Prof. Bailey, Dr. Æneas Dawson, John Reade, Prof. J. A. K. Laflamme, J. Fletcher, Dr. Fortin, 
B. Sulte, J. Tassé. 
Business. 
The minutes of the Fourth General Meeting, May, 1885, as printed in the third Volume of the 
Transactions, were read and approved. 
