PROCEEDINGS FOR 1886. XI 
VII.—From the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, through Mr. R. B. Wayre:— 
In presenting to your honourable Society the fourth report from the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ 
Club, the Council have great pleasure in being able to say that its work has been carried on with in- 
creased and gratifying success. The Club has, at present, over one hundred and eighty ordinary and 
seven corresponding members, making it numerically one of the strongest scientific societies in the 
Dominion, and as regards original work performed by the members, it can compare favourably with any 
similar society. 
The usual excursions to places of interest in the vicinity were held at intervals during the sum- 
mer, and many valuable facts concerning the natural history of this district were recorded. 
Much useful work was also accomplished at the subexcursions, which were held on Saturday 
afternoons, to points in the immediate neighborhood of the city. These subexcursions are of the 
character of out-door classes, and are conducted with a view to enable the younger and less experi- 
enced members to study the different branches under the guidance of the appointed leaders, whose duty 
it is to give any assistance and explanation that may be necessary. During the winter, six soirees 
were held—one being an evening devoted to the microscope, at which short papers were read and slides 
exhibited, illustrative of the different subjects; while at the others the following papers were read :— 
1. The President’s Address, by W. H. Harrington. 
2. The Black Bear, by W. P. Lett. 
3. Water Crystallization affected by Magnetic or Electric action, by E. Odlum (Pembroke.) 
4. The Teaching of Mineralogy, by Rev. C. F. Marsan. 
5. Ottawa Dragonflies, by T. J. McLaughlin. 
In addition, there were reports from the leaders of the work done during the year in the various 
departments of natural history, and notes by members. These, as well as the papers read, were fol- 
lowed by discussions of an interesting nature, which discussions are a distinctive feature of the soirees. 
Afternoon lectures were also given during the winter on the following subjects :— 
Entomology (4), by W. H. Harrington and J. Fletcher. 
Mineralogy (1), by Rev. C. F. Marsan. 
Ornithology (1), by W. L. Scott. 
Botany (5), by J. M. Macoun and R. B. Whyte. 
The five on Botany were delivered before the students of the Normal School, by request of Prin- 
cipal McCabe. In addition to these lectures, at the request of the Inspector of Public Schools for 
Ottawa, a weekly class in Botany has been organized as part of the regular instruction for the Senior 
Students at the Central School West. The attendance and attention displayed at this class have been 
most encouraging to the Senior Leader in Botany, who has undertaken the work. 
The Council are much gratified to know that their efforts in the way of encouraging the study 
of natural history are being more appreciated, the attendance at the soirees, the excursions and the 
classes, has been larger, and the interest shewn by those present has been much more marked than in 
any previous year. 
A copy of the Club Transactions, No. 6, containing 132 pages and 2 plates, is herewith submitted, 
and we hope that it will be found a creditable addition to our list of publications. 
At the annual meeting of the Club, held on March 17, the following officers were elected for the 
year 1886-87 :— 
Presid Cnibsserecces te ces cesser escteonesees cetisrcdescl Prof. J. Macoun. 
Wiree-Pvesidentserccscectesseesssctenesdecesse ce { ul ue ie, 
SECRET adonoc  Sgobbocuocbtion du Beat eee NE Jel AIN OtOn, 
IDrATANe-r eee. -e SCOR ERR IC den er ne se Ca ES F. R. Latchford. 
3 (3. Fletcher, 
COMMITTEE RS rss creme se etacewsisesscstecs seni Dr. Small, 
Rev. Prof. Marsan. 
