XVIII EOYAL SOCIETY OP CANADA. 



In addition to the regular meetings, classes have been formed and elementary instruction given 

 in geology and botany, chiefly to the public school teachers of the city and other students in natural 

 science. 



I am pleased to report considerable interest in the biological section of the Society. The re- 

 searches of Mr. W. F. Ganong in marine Invertebrates on the coast of the Bay of Fundy have brought 

 to light many rare and interesting forms, and considerable additions have been made to the Museum 

 of Invertebrate Zoology. Since the publication of the Eev. Prof Fowler's list of plants in 1887 some 

 forty or fifty species of plants new to the province have been added to the flora. 



In the " upper series" of the Laurcntian limestone near St. John, Mr. Wm. Murdoch, C.B., has 

 discovered fossil remains of coral-like structures somewhat like certain forms found in the basal beds 

 of the Cambrian. A minute examination by Mr. G-. P. Matthew has revealed the fact that the fossil 

 remains are of animal origin and may be allied to Eozoon. The jjrovisional name of Archœozoon 

 Acadiense has been attached to the discovery. A large fragment of the limestone, weighing about 

 half a ton, has been placed in the museum at St. John. The flat surftice of the rock presents the 

 appearance of closely compressed layers of petrified wood. 



On the whole, I am able to repoi-t a much greater efiiciency in our society, by additions to its 

 museum and in other directions. Should the Eoyal Society in its wanderings come to St. John in the 

 near future, I am assured that the many features of interest, both to the geologist and the historian 

 of that locality, would be ajjpreciatod b}^ its members, while its influence would give an impetus to 

 the objects which the Natural History Society of New Brunswick seeks to encourage. 



III. — From The Ottawa Literary and Scientific Society, through Mi-. H. B. Small. 



In presenting to your honourable body a report of the proceedings of the Ottawa Literary and 

 Scientific Society for 1890 it affords me very great jjleasure to state that, at its annual meeting, last 

 month, the affairs of this society were shown, from the reports of the oflScers of its respective 

 branches, to be in a more satisfactory condition than for some years past, and the great care taken 

 during the past year to limit the expenditure to the lowest possible amount, compatible with its efii- 

 ciency, has succeeded in placing the society in a position which it is hoped will tend to increase its 

 popularity and extend its usefulness. 



The ordinaiy funds at its disposal allowed of very little outlay for the purchase of new works for 

 the library, and to meet this difficulty the president personally obtained from several friends dona- 

 tions amounting to $100 for library purposes, by moans of which a number of books have been added 

 to its shelves, and this increase has proved very serviceable. 



The total number of books now belonging to the library is 2,578, and the demand during the past 

 year exceeded its predecessor by 430 volumes. 



A fair percentage of use marked during the year the various branches of scientific works and 

 books for reference, but, as seems to be the case in all libraries, fiction heads the list. In this case, 

 however, I can state that the majority of the books of this class are of the higher order, light or 

 trashy publications not being purchased. The encyclopredias on our shelves are constantly consulted, 

 and the bound copies of magazines ajopear to be in continual demand by readers searching for sub- 

 jects in which they are interested. The majority of magazines taken are ultimately bound, and in 

 course of time our library will be rich in pei'iodical literature. 



The absence of a public library enhances the value of our society's collection, especially as that of 

 Parliament is not accessible to everyone, and a library is now a necessity for our citizen population. 



It is acknowledged on all sides that our society is really filling the want supplied in other large 

 cities, viz., that of a public librarj^, and it is duly appreciated as such, as well as being a public literary 

 institution for all classes. 



