PROCEEDINGS FOR 1883. MAN 
naturally, in a country like this, of slower growth than the other. Astronomical observatories and 
chemical and physical laboratories can be established only under those conditions in which means 
to secure appliances somewhat costly coexist with skilled observers. 
Thus far we have made more progress in chemistry than in the other experimental sciences. 
The laboratory of the Geological Survey, established many years ago under Dr, Sterry Hunt and 
continued under Dr, Harrington and Mr. Hoffman, has produced results not only of the greatest 
scientific and practical value to this country, but widely known abroad, The laboratories con- 
nected with the leading universities have also done good work, more especially in mineral analysis. 
Nor should we forget that among our members are several chemists whose researches are widely 
known abroad and highly valued. It is a cheering feature in this department that so much is being 
done to train young men in practical chemistry. In my own university I find that there is accom- 
modation for sixty-six students in practical laboratory work, and this is fully occupied during the 
session. Other universities, I believe, have similar facilities. There is no doubt that the greater 
part of the chemical skill thus cultivated will be employed in purely professional and business 
pursuits, in connection with medicine, pharmaceutics, mineral assays and chemical manufactures. Of 
these the country will, of course, reap the benefit. But itis to be hoped that some of the chemists 
trained in our colleges will follow up lines of original research, To enable them to do this, labora- 
tories must be multiplied and improved, and teaching positions must be placed at the disposal of 
young men who may be willing to enter on the less lucrative but most valuable path of original work, 
Of physical laboratories, with the exception of that commenced at Toronto, we have the barest 
rudiments, though there are good collections of apparatus for educational purposes. Our astronomical 
observatories are far below the standard of those of other countries. Meteorological work has been 
farther advanced. The value of weather-forecasts to the general public and to sea-faring men has 
prompted the development of a public meteorological service, carried on under the superintendence 
of one of our members with much skill and efficiency; but which is still lacking in its outfit of 
instruments and in the extension of its stations over the wide stretch of our territory, 
The recent Transit of Venus found Canada very slenderly equipped for taking part in the 
observations which locally devolved on us, Many of our most important cities were found to be 
destitute even of instruments of the moderate power required for the observations, and of some other 
instruments needed there was a general destitution. The sum granted by the government was not 
sufficient to supply all these deficiencies, and had to be supplemented by private subscriptions and 
gratuitous labour. Hence some of the methods of observation which proved highly successful else- 
where could not be employed here, 
It would be possible to bring under your notice many other examples of our yet small progress 
in the cultivation of physical science. Here, as in chemistry, the cheering feature is the growth of 
education in this group of sciences. This gives the hope that, either by private munificence or by the 
action of the Government, we shall ere long be less dependent than at present on other countries in 
this important department. In nothing, however, should we be more careful to avail ourselves of the 
advice of specialists than in matters of this kind. It is a great loss when the liberality of individuals 
or governments is dissipated or misplaced, owing to want of that accurate information which can be 
obtained only by thorough preliminary training and long experience. In such undertakings the aid 
and advice of a society like this become of the utmost value. 
If we now turn to the geological and biological sciences, we may have more reason to be satisfied 
with the progress we have made, and with the prospect of immediate advancement. With reference 
to state provision, it is true, such great public enterprises as the Fish Commission, the Entomological 
Commission, the National Museum, and other undertakings of our United States neighbours, are 
conspicuously absent. The Geological Survey is the one great scientific enterprise of our Government; 
and, though the words “Natural History Survey ” have been added to it by Act of Parliament, there 
has been no proportionate development of its staff or of its resources, The Geological Survey, 
