XCVIII ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



our efforts the dangers accruing from this pest have been more forcibly 

 brought home to tliose most directly concerned, and this spring we 

 expect that more vigorous measures will be adopted towards the ex- 

 termination of the pest. As another example of the wide-reaching 

 interests of the society may be mentioned the fact that attention was 

 called to the wanton destruction of sea-gulls in the lower St. Law- 

 rence and steps were taken to memorialize the Federal Government 

 to inquire into the matter and to take the necessary steps to put a 

 stop to the evil. 



During the past year the work of the society has been hampered 

 by the la,ck of sufficient and suitable accommodation for the prosecution 

 of its distinctive work. More especially has this been noticed in con- 

 j-.ection with the museum and library, a great amount of the material 

 l~eing inaccessible on account of the lack of space to display it. In 

 this connection the society has taken an important and decisive step 

 in the direction of better things. It has disposed of the old building, 

 which has been so long its home and a scientific landmark in the 

 city, and has acquired a most desirable and suitable site, consisting of 

 about 10,000 s(Jiiare feet, on the best portion of Drummond Street, 

 where its temporary quarters have been located. On this ground it 

 has been decided to erect a modern building, which will meet the 

 inicreased requirements of the society, and be a credit to the city of 

 Montreal. To this end an influential and numerous building com- 

 mittee has been struck and immediate steps are to be taken to carry 

 the society's desires into effect. As a consequence of these changes 

 it has been found necessary to store the various specimens and books 

 in suitable places, so that for the coming year they will not be avail- 

 able for reference, and to this extent the society's jasefulness will be 

 curtailed until the new home is an accomplished fact. Eealizing this, 

 and with the idea of in some measure compensating for it, the society 

 has decided to extend its work on the line of free public lectures to 

 be given in different centres of the city and with co-operation of vari- 

 ous bodies, like the Tuljerculosis League, the Local Council of Women, 

 the Pure Milk League, the Hygiene Conimittee, the Westmount 

 School Commissioners, the Alexandra Plospital, a,nd St. Paul's Hos- 

 pital. The subjects that will be dealt with include matters of hygiene, 

 public health, decoration, materials and forms of construction, and 

 will be dealt with in popular ways by competent lecturers. Some of 

 these lectures are designed to meet the special requirements of artisans, 

 and where necessary will be delivered both in English and French. 



A notable increase has been noted in the matter of new members, 

 there being some fifty-three enrolled during the past twelve months. 



