PROCEEDINGS FOR 1895 CIX 
Report of Section IV. 
Section four has held four meetings in all, at which there were four- 
teen members present. Ten papers in all were read, of which only two 
were presented by title. Although the amount of work accomplished 
has been much less than on former occasions, the papers have all possessed 
a high degree of value as the outcome of original research. In this 
connection it should be stated that the general sentiment of the section is 
opposed to the occupation of so large a portion of the time given to the 
work of the general society by routine business, operating, as it does, to 
seriously impair the efficiency of the work accomplished by the sections. 
Feeling that the present conditions of faulty administration are 
incompatible with the great interests involved, the section appointed a 
committee to inquire into the subject, with a view to securing co-opera- 
tive action on the part of local governments, and the adoption of measures 
which should tend to the conservation of our timber resources and natural 
water supply. The following report, which was unanimously adopted, is 
therefore presented, with the request that it be forwarded to the govern- 
ment, with such representations as may be deemed advisable : 
“ The Royal Society of Canada respectfully represents that under 
existing conditions there is great and needless waste of one of our greatest 
sources of national wealth, through the destruction of timber by fire and 
other causes, while the removal of large forest areas seriously threatens 
the efficiency and continuance of the water supply. Under these circum- 
stances, the Royal Society would respectfully recommend that immediate 
action be taken looking to the establishment of a proper administration of 
the remaining timber lands, so that the timber resources of the country 
may be more economically managed, and the perpetuity of the forest 
cover in those districts where streams have their origin be maintained, 
in order that the continuity of the water supply may be assured ; and 
that for the carrying out of this object, the society would recommend 
the appointment of a permanent forestry commissioner to inquire into 
and administer the various interests involved. 
D. P. PENHALLOW. 
Jee DURGESS. 
“WM. SAUNDERS. 
“ RoBertT BELL.” 
A review of attendance and of papers read by members shows that 
during the thirteen years the society has been in operation there has been 
a display of zeal not only in the actual operation of the sessions, but also 
in the promotion of scientific research rarely equalled by similar societies 
elsewhere. At the present time the section has its full quota of members, 
twenty-five. Of the original twenty members, fourteen are still on the 
rolls and actively engaged in important lines of work. The following 
