20 KOYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



Society, and we may therefore look to these publications as authentic 

 sources of the history of botanical progress for the several provinces. 



Botanical Collections. 



One of the best indications of the position attained b}^ botanical 

 science in any country is to be found in the extent and character of the 

 collections, more especially of the herbaria, since these at once represent 

 the extent to which the science has been made a living one. Although 

 it is impossible to make any correct comparison as to the relative im- 

 portance of an efficient working library and extensive collections, since 

 each is of the very first importance, and both are absolutel}^ essential 

 in the life of any institution where biological science is made a living 

 force, it is undoubtedly safe to say that in its relation to the public at 

 large, a thoroughly equipped botanical museum in which plants and 

 plant products in their multitudinous forms, as applied to the various 

 wants of man, whether in art, science or industrial processes, are dis- 

 played in their proper relations, is an educational factor of the greatest 

 value, ottering as it must opportunities for the extension of knowledge 

 along the lines of least resistance. It is an appreciation of this fact 

 which has led to the gradual upbuilding of all the great botanical collec- 

 tions of the world, and in any comprehensive survey of botanical progress 

 they must be taken into consideration. 



Geological Survey. 



The most extensive herbarium in Canada is that of the Geological 

 Survey at Ottawa. This collection had its origin in 1860, when Prof. 

 Macoun commenced systematic collections in various parts of Ontario, 

 and opened exchanges with several of the leading systematic botanists of 

 the United States. At the time of the Centennial Exposition at Phila- 

 delphia in 1876, these collections had grown to such dimensions that a 

 large and representative herbarium of specimens from various parts of 

 Canada was exhibited, and afterwards deposited in the herbarium of 

 McGill College. A second collection was exhibited at Paris in 1878, and 

 later deposited in the herbarium at Kew. By 1882 the collections of 

 Canadian plants had become so extensive that the Government was led 

 to purchase it for use in connection with the work of the Geological Sur- 

 vey, and its former owner was appointed as curator. 



Since then the herbarium has experienced a rapid growth both by 

 the collection of native species and the acquisition of foreign species 

 through the medium of exchange. It embraces practically all known 

 Canadian species, as well as a very large representation from the United 

 States. Natal, East Africa and Australia are represented by valuable 



