[LAMBE] PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS 15 
In presenting the foregoing resumé of the past vertebrate life of this 
country no attempt has been made to introduce the life of the southern 
half of the North American continent, which is naturally interwoven 
with that of the northern half. The limits of the present paper do not 
admit of so comprehensive a treatment of the subject. It was thought 
desirable in considering our progress from a vertebrate paleontological 
standpoint to use such data only as we ourselves have at the present 
time. Our record, as we see, is very incomplete; we have many inter- 
ruptions in the continuity of the life history of the country, and many 
gaps to span. In some cases these breaks, owing to the absence of 
deposits, may never be filled, if on the other hand, the deposits are pre- 
sent, lack of information regarding their fossil contents, if such exist, is 
the cause of the apparent discontinuity. We must rely, for further 
knowledge, on the efforts of the few who are engaged in paleontological 
research in Canada and of those who may in the future be induced to 
enter the field. The universities in particular can assist, not only the 
long established ones but also the newer ones of the west. Much remains 
to be done! If it could be done with ease it would not be worth doing. 
“Everything that we learn is the mastery of a difficulty; and the 
mastery of one helps to the mastery of others.’ 
