PEOCEEDINGS FOE 1884. IX 



there is a growing demand for a better and more general linowlodge of our misknown territories, and 

 this can only be gained by voyages of discovery, undertaken by a settled government. To the 

 climate of Canada we must credit the source of all our health and wealth. Cold gives us vigour, 

 the power of reproduction, our numerous populations and the probability of their indefinite increase, 

 while again, it makes it possible to cover our lands with vegetation, and thus ensures fertility on 

 the surface. Canadians need not be deterred by low temperatures, but rather believe scientific and 

 civilized man 'may live in abundance, where nature lias so lavishly prepared the way for an intelligent 

 and educated race to work out its national existence. 



As the Geographical Society advocates and promotes, on all possible occasions, voyages of dis- 

 covery, I am glad to rej)Oi't that : — 



A Survey by water will be made this season of Hudson Bay and its Strait, by the Government of 

 the Dominion. 



An Expedition will also start by land from the lower St. Lawrence to Lake Mistassini and James 

 Bay, equipped for wintering on or about the height of land between the Province of Quebec and 

 the Northeast territory. This party will be under the general instructions of Dr. Selwyn, the Director 

 of the Geological Survey for the Department of the Interior. 



Manitoba, having obtained powers to construct a railway from Winnipeg to Hudson Bay, there 

 will be exploration parties in that direction. 



The Pacific Eailway is now in the Eocky Mountains, opening the way to a better knowledge of 

 those sections; which aro also being further explored by parties from the Geological Survey, under the 

 immediate superintendence of Dr. G. M. Dawson. 



The United States Government is promoting Voyages of Discovery in Alaska and up the Yukon 

 Eiver, which takes its source in the north-western corner of Canada. A report of this survey has 

 been sent to us, and appears in our Transactions. 



Though I am happy to acknowledge much encouragement within the year, from the general pub- 

 lic, to Geographical science, yet I regret to state that both the Dominion and the Government of the 

 Pi'ovince of Quebec have withdrawn their money grants, leaving us to contend with financial difficul- 

 ties, which may become very embarrassing. The proper view to take of young Societies, such as ours, 

 is the educational. We do not require much more than official recognition, such as we are receiv- 

 ing from the Eoj-al Society of Canada; but, as our work is essentially of a national character, Can- 

 ada ought not to be the only country in the world without a Geogi-aphical Society, which will assm*- 

 edly be the case, if we fail through a want of funds. Economy is very well, but the saving of a 

 few hundred dollars by the Dominion Government and by that of the Province of Quebec will not 

 materially add to the public purse, whilst the adult portion of our population will bo the losers from 

 a scientific body's being unable to publish and circulate gratuitously trustworthy information, inde- 

 pendent of and unconnected with the Eailway and Land Companies of the period. 



I beg to tender my respectful thanks to the Eoyal Society of Canada for a copy of their Proceed- 

 ings and Transactions for 1882-83, as well as for the honor of taking a part in the assemblage of this 

 year. These meetings have a special interest for the members of the Geographical Society of Quebec. 



W. Ehodes, President. 

 Quebec, May 16th, 1884. 



in. From the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Montreal, through Mr. E. W. McLachlan : — 



In presenting to the Eoyal Society of Canada a report of original work done during the past year, 

 the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society would congratulate the country on the organization of such 

 an institution, and hopes that the promises for future literary work and scientific research may be 

 fully' carried out. 



Pro. 1884. ~B. 



