PEOCEEDINGS FOR 1S85. XIX 



Thanking the Royal Society of Canada for this further opportunity of making its proceedings 

 public, the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Montreal has much pleasure in submitting the 

 aliove Jîeport. 



IX. From the Natural Ilistoiy Society of Montreal, through Dr. J. B.vker Edwards:— 



I have the honour to report on behalf of the Natural History Society of Montreal that the Society 

 (incorporated in 1832), completed its fifty-third session on the 18th instant, under the Presidency of 

 Dr. T. Sterry Hunt, who has held the chair for the past two yeai-s and is now succeeded by Sir 

 William Dawson. During the past year, His E.xcellency the Govei'nor-General has kindly con- 

 sented to become the Patron of this Society. The Society has added to its numbers ten ordinary 

 members, one life member, and one corresponding member— making the roll of the Society over 200 

 members. 



The usual grant has been awarded by the Quebec Legislature, and many valuable additions have 

 been made to the Society's Museum, among which may be mentioned specimens of the Gopher, 

 the Turkey Buzzard, White Pelican, Night Heron, American Badger, etc., obtained and presented 

 by Mr. William Muir from the Northwest; also interesting fossil remains from borings for the 

 Panama Canal, presented by Dr. Wolfred Nelson of Panama, and a collection of fossils, recent shells, 

 and Indian curiosities from Central America, from Dr. Wolfred and Mr. George Nelson ; also a very 

 handsome cate of British Game Birds, presented by Mr. Albert A. Jowett, of Sheffield, England. A 

 handsome donation has also been made to the Society by a few of its active members, viz., a fine por- 

 trait, by ill-. Bell Smith, of the late Sir W. E. Logan, which is placed in the Society's library. 



Valuable exchanges have also been added to the library, and the Society regrets that, from un- 

 avoidable circumstances, the publication of their journal the Canadian Record of Science, has been un- 

 duly delayed, but trusts that its issue will shortly be completed and punctual. 



The usual number of monthly meetings have been held, and the following original papers con- 

 tributed ; — 



1. The Scientific Aspects of the British Association in Montreal, by the President, Dr. T. Sterry 

 Hunt. 



2. The Geology of the Nile Valley, by Sir William Dawson. 



3. The Habits of the Animals and Birds from the Northwest recently added to the Museum, by 

 by Dr. O. C. Edwards. 



4. On the Sanitary Disposal of Sewage by Cremation, by Dr. J. Baker Edwards. 



5. On the Pving Growth of Exogens in Relation to the Age of Trees, by Prof D. P. Penhallow. 



6. On the Canadian Diptera, their Habits and Development, by F. W. Caulfield. 



7. On the Organic Remains in Fresh-water Lakes of Nova Scotia, by A. H. MacKay. 



8. On the Infusorial Deposits in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and their "Utilization, by Mr. 

 A. Mackenzie. 



9. On the Cambrian Rocks of St. John, New Brunswick, by G. F. Matthew. 



10. On the Work of the Exploration Fund in Egypt, by Sir William Dawson. 



11. Chemical Notes, by Prof J. T. Donald. 



Seven public free lectures have been delivered in the annual Somraerville Course, which have 

 been numerously attended and well received. On these occasions the Museum of the Society has been 

 thrown open to the public, and a large number of persons, estimated at over 2.000, have availed 

 themselves of the privilege of visiting it. 



The lectures were as follows : — 



Feb. 12. The British Association at Montreal, by Dr. T. Sterry Hunt. 

 Feb. 19. Reminiscences of the late Sir W. E. Logan, by Dr. Robert Bell. 

 Feb. 2fi. Certain Features of our Climate, bv Dr. W. H. Hingstnn. 



