XL. ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA. 
From The Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, through the Hon. Davin A. Ross :— 
Origin and Progress of the Society. 
In the fall of 1823, Lord Dalhousie, Governor of Canada, summoned some well-known Literati of 
Quebec to the Castle of St. Lewis, and suggested the formation of a Literary and Historical Society. 
The proposal was received with enthusiasm. In January, 1824, a preliminary meeting was held at 
the castle; officers were appointed, and a committee prepared by-laws which were approved at a 
general meeting held on the 15th of March, of the same year. 
The staff was organized as follows:—Patron, Lord Dalhousie; President, Sir N. F. Burton; 
Vice-Presidents, The Hon. Judge J. Sewell and M. Vallières de St. Real; Secretary, William Green ; 
Treasurer, John Charlton Fisher. 
Meetings of the society were frequently held at the castle of St. Lewis, and on the 5th October, 
1831, a Royal Charter was granted to the Society by His Majesty King William IV. | 
Such was the early history of the Society. Notwithstanding that it has suffered by several fires, 
it still possesses many valuable manuscripts relating to the early history of Canada under the French 
régime ; about 12,000 volumes on literary, historical, and scientific subjects, some of them rare, all 
carefully selected ; a collection of historical relics, models, medals; birds and quadrupeds of Canada. 
Many interesting and instructive lectures have been, and continue to be, delivered before the society, 
as testified by its “ Memoirs” and “Transactions.” It exchanges with most, if not all, of the literary, 
scientific, and historical institutions of this continent and Great Britain. 
From the Ottawa Field and Naturalists’ Club, through Dr. Beaumont SMALL :— 
In the rules adopted at the organization of the club, which I have the honor to represent, its 
object is thus briefly stated: to study the natural history of this locality. During the four years of 
its existence a strictly local character has been maintained, and to this we ascribe whatever success 
the club has attained. The general management is under the control of the usual officers, elected 
annually, but the scientific work is directed by ‘Leaders’ selected by the council. The duty of these 
‘Leaders’ are :—To render any assistance in their power to the members engaged in collecting and 
studying in their respective branches. To bring together for mutual aid and encouragement the 
members interested in the same subject. To organize and direct working parties. To keep notes of 
work done, and to report to the council at the close of the season. We aré divided into six sections :— 
Geology—including Paleontology, Mineralogy and Lithology; Botany ; Entomology; Conchology ; 
Ornithology; General Zoology. 
During the summer our work is entirely in the field. Once a month an excursion is held at some 
point ten or twelve miles distant, which is well attended not only by members but also by their friends. 
On the first and third Saturdays of each month, afternoon expeditions are taken by members of each 
branch, under the direction of the Leaders. In addition, throughout the whole season, individual work 
is prosecuted with much zeal and assiduity. 
In the winter, evening meetings are held once a month. Papers, bearing on the work done during 
the summer, are read and discussed; collections and specimens are exhibited, and the reports of the 
Leaders are received. Classes have been conducted for beginners in Botany and Entomology, and it 
is intended to form others as they may be found requisite in any branch. Prizes are given by the 
club for the best collection in each branch, The president also offers a prize for the best record of 
original work. 
That the advantages of the club may not be confined to the members, nor the results of our labors 
lost to the future, transactions are published annually, They consist of the president’s address, the 
secretary’s report, reports of progress in the sections, lists of objects collected and the papers read 
at the winter meetings. Perhaps the most valuable are the lists. Those of plants, insects, birds, 
