XCVI KOYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



Fifth. To investigate subjects of economic importance, such as 

 forestry and fishery matters, with a view to utilizing the knowledge 

 so obtained to the growth and preservation of these industries. 



As this is the first report of the association, a synopsis is given of 

 ita doings from its organization to the end of the official year in 

 February, 1899. In this time eighteen regular monthly meetings and 

 twenty-two additional ones, during the winter season were held, at 

 which papers were read and lectures delivered. 



The museum may be referred to under the following heads : — 



Botany. 



The committee on botany reports that upwards of five hundred 

 plants have been mounted, labelled and arranged in genus and family 

 covers, and that plant mounting is being continued. 



Ornithology. 



The mounted birds already number a hundred and fresh accessions 

 are being made from time to time. 



Mammology. 



Twenty-six specimens of the smaller species and a number of skins 

 and crania are represented, and forni an attractive feature of the 

 general collection. \ 



Ichthyology. 



This department represents well the smaller and fresh-water fishes, 

 and in this respect is the most complete in the Maritime Provinces of 

 Canada, consisting of over one hundred and twenty alcoholic speci- 

 mens. It also contains some rare fishes in spirits, besides a few of the 

 larger ones mounted. 



Herpelology. 



The curators report about forty alcoholic specimens of reptilia, 

 and already steps have been taken to enlarge the collection so as to 

 make it representative of the whole reptilian fauna of the Dominion 

 of Canada. 



