PROCEEDINGS FOR 1895 IOC 
“Consequently the twelfth volume contains thirty more pages than 
the two largest previously published in ten years, 
“A few papers have been unavoidably deferred for a short time, on 
account of the supply of special paper required for the Transactions 
having been exhausted by the unusual size of the present volume. 
Authors, however, will learn with satisfaction that the printing of their 
papers will be hurried as soon as the society comes to a conclusion as to 
the form the new series should take—octavo or quarto. In fact, they 
will receive their papers in pamphlet form in a few weeks after the 
distribution of the new volume. 
“Tn calling attention to the desirability of changing the present cum- 
brous and expensive form of Transactions to a mere manageable and 
cheaper octavo volume, the printing committee is strengthened by the 
fact that the Royal Society of London has already taken the initiative in 
the same direction. The reasons adduced for the proposed change apply 
with equal force to the Canadian society. 
“ Fbe secretaries, Lord Rayleigh and Professor Foster, tell us: ‘The 
majority of the council are inclined to regard the quarto form as cum- 
brous, and to think that a large octavo form is more convenient for read- 
ing and for general use. A royal octavo page (10 inches by 6} inches), 
unbound, or imperial octavo page (114 inches by 74 inches), would con- 
tain about as much press matter as the present quarto page, in an equally 
readable and very similar type, and would be adequate for at least most 
mathematical formule ; some formule are too long for even the present 
quarto page. Such a page would, moreover, be much more economical 
for the majority of illustrations, and where a larger area was needed this 
might be supplied by a folding plate with a guard.’ 
“The printing committee, after giving full consideration to the whole 
subject, conclude that the following advantages will be derived from a 
change of form : 
“1. That it will be more convenient for readers, who find it almost 
impossible to use the present cumbrous volume for purposes of study 
with any degree of comfort, especially when it is as large as the one just 
printed for 1894. 
“2. That authors will be able to get their essays and monographs 
before the public in a more popular and convenient form, and feel encour- 
aged in especial cases to issue editions of their work for sale throughout 
the Dominion and elsewhere, and in this way reach the people generally. 
“3. That by dividing the Transactions into two or more separate 
volumes it will be possible to transmit a number to foreign societies and 
libraries by mail, and save a considerable expense that arises in the dis- 
tribution by the ordinary business channels now only available in the 
case of such heavy volumes. 
