PEOCEEDINGS FOE 1891. LVII 



such days are iu every way useful to the society itself. They Ijring the members and more promin- 

 ent spirits of the association together in friendly intercourse ; they create a spirit of enquiry in the 

 neighbourhood iu which they are held as to the work of the society itself; they draw out the tastes 

 of younger members in competing for prizes, geological, entomological, botanical, etc. ; they furnish 

 valuable instruction through the chairmen of the different branches into which the society breaks 

 itself up during the day, and they leave a general impression of scientific pleasure behind them 

 in the minds of all fortunate enough to take part in them. In every way the Lachute field day 

 was a decideds uccess, reflecting the greatest credit on those gentlemen who undertook its manage- 

 ment. 



At the monthly meetings of the society the following pajjers containing original investigations 

 and observations were I'ead and received the criticism of the members : 



1. On the Clay Concretions of the Connecticut Eiver, by Miss Arms, read by Sir Wm. Dawson. 



2. Note on a peculiar Growth in a Black Walnut, by Prof Penhallow. 



3. On Caterpillar Fungus from New Zealand, by Prof Penhallow. 



4. Notes on Soil Temperatures taken by Prof Penhallow, Prof. McLeod and Mr. E. H. Hamil- 



ton, by Prof. Penhallow. 



5. Canadian Argol or Crude Cream of Tartar, by Prof. J. T. Donald. 



b'. Composition of the Oil used and the Pig Iron produced at the Eadnor Forges, by Prof. J. T. 

 Donald. 



7. Some Interesting Fishes from the Lower St. Lawrence, by Sir Wm. Dawson. 



8. A Form of Apparatus for collecting traces of suspended matter in drinking water, by Dr. 



E. F. Euttan. 



9. Wild Flowers of Great Britain in July and August, by Eev. Dr. Campbell. 



10. Our present knowledge of the Projection of Sound in Space by the Human Ear, by Dr. J. 

 W. Sterling. 



The oliject of the Somerville Ciourse of free lectures is that of bringing before the public in a 

 more popular manner than that of technical papers various scientific subjects likely to prove of gen- 

 eral interest. The last course was in no way less interesting than former ones, and, judging by the 

 willing attendance of the public, was fully appreciated. The course was as follows: 



A Popular Talk about Birds, by J. M. LexMoine, Esq., Quebec. 

 Ants — a Home Study, by Very Eev. Dean Carmichael. 

 The Squid and its Eclations, by Sir Wm. Dawson. 

 Coral Animals, by Mr. F. D. Adams. 

 Domestic Pets, by Prof. C. McEachran. 

 Poultry, by Dr. T. Wesley Mills. 



During the year sixteen new members have been added to the society, making the total of the 

 membership 222. 



During the year thirty-four valuable donations have been made to the society, mainly ornitholo- 

 gical. 



In making this report to the Boyal Society of Canada, the Natural History Society of Montreal 

 would desire to tender its renewed allegiance to an organization, which bears not only the stamp of 

 royal favour on it, but which it is hoped will in time do for Canada what the kindred associations 

 have done for Britain. We tender our renewed allegiance with a spirit of willing loj-alty, and we add 

 to our allegiance a hearty welcome and a sincere wish that your visit to the commercial metropolis of 

 Canada may in every way be useful to the city and yourselves. 



Proc. 1891. H. 



