PROCEEDINGS FOR 1897 XI 



men are now residents of other countries, and are taking no part what- 

 ever in the work of the society. It is therefore open to sections two 

 and four to consider the cases of Professor Roberts, now in New York^ 

 and of Professor Chapman, now in England, and to follow the prece- 

 dents of previous years and place these two gentlemen on the retired 

 list. 



It is imjiortant that a society of so limited a number as ours should 

 have all its members in a position to co-operate in its work and usefulness. 



10. Meeting of the British Association for the Advance- 

 ment OF Science. 



The council of the Eoyal Society of Canada hear with satisfaction 

 that arrangements have been completed for a successful meeting of this 

 popular scientitic association in the city of Toronto. The council pro- 

 pose that an address be presented by the Eoyal Society to the association, 

 as an expression of their confidence that this meeting on Canadian 

 territory of so many gentlemen engaged in the study of science, will 

 stimulate a greater interest in the varied departments of scientific thought 

 and investigation in which they are distinguished, as well as enlarge the 

 knowledge of Canada and its resources in the parent State. A committee 

 should be appointed by the society to draft and present the address at 

 the proper time. 



11. The Proposed National Museum. 



Ever since its formation, fifteen years ago, the Eoyal Society of 

 Canada has, time and again, directed the attention of the Government 

 and the people of Canada to the absolute necessity that exists for the 

 construction of a National Museum worthy of the Dominion. At present 

 the magnificent collection, illustrative of our geological and natural 

 history, cannot be exhibited to any advantage in the unsafe and ugly 

 builduig in which it has been housed for j'cars. The subject, we are glad 

 to find, is now under the consideration of the Government. During the 

 last session of Parliament, Mr. Belcourt, one of the representatives of 

 Ottawa, made a motion with respect to the project, and ably supported 

 it by a speech in which he dwelt on the value of the collections in the 

 Geological Museum, which " are of the greatest practical utilitj^, not only 

 to scientists, but to miners, manufacturers and agriculturists, and are 

 worthy of the high meed of praise and admiration they have received 

 from all quarters." 



Mr. Eelcourt's expression of hope that immediate measures will be 

 taken by the Government to give to Canada a National Museum which 

 " will be a credit to the country," was followed by a most encouraging 

 reply from the Premier, the Honourable Mr. Laurier. " The Govein- 

 ment," he said, "quite realizes that it is advisable that the country at 



