PROCEEDINGS FOR 1909 III 



of which bears testimony to tlie extent of liis researches and tiie activity 

 ot his mind. How many other studies sketched out by liim remain, alas ! 

 unfinished, studies wliicli no other hand can bring to completion. As to 

 the man himself, no one could possibly know him without esteeming him, 

 without feeling one's self in profound sympathy with him. He was 

 simple, modest, kind, and as far as possible removed from all pretension. 

 With him disappears something which it will be very diiïicult to replace. 



What impressed us the most at the time of Dr. Fletcher's death was 

 the universality of the regret which the event called forth. The 

 journalists of this city, in whicli he had lived so long, had become intim- 

 ately acquainted wdth him and there was no exaggeration in their unani- 

 mous judgment that his death was a national loss. The Otiaiva Natur- 

 alist of January last published a special number in his memory; and 

 made up, as that number was, of articles signed by the foremost scientific 

 irjen of Canada, we may well sny that no more eloquent or weighty testi- 

 mony could have been borne to the deeply-niourned deceased. 



A committee has lately been formed with the object of raising some 

 form of memorial to Dr. Fletcher. The Eoyal Society cannot but take 

 an interest in such a movement, and I would take the liberty of suggest- 

 ing that an appeal should be made to ail our members in order that they 

 may associate themselves with this last tribute to one who has deserved 

 so well of us all and of the country at large. 



As regards myself, gentlemen, if I may be allowed on such an occa- 

 sion to refer to personal matters, I can never forget the valuable services 

 rendered me during the brief period that I collaborated with him in my 

 capacity as President. It was owing to the devotion and untiring zeal of 

 Dr. Fletcher tliat we were able (o organize the extraordinary session which 

 our Society held at Quebec in the month of July last in connection with 

 the Tercentenary celebration of the founding of that city. 1 had to make 

 two trips with him to the city of Champlain ; then it was that I learned 

 to know him intimately, to appreciate the largeness of his heart and the 

 breadth of his views. Alas ! Who could ever have thought, in the midst 

 of these great festivities, when T saw him so full of enthusiasm for all the 

 superb spectacles which were passing under his eyes, that, only three 

 months later, I should be summoned to lay upon his coffin the last hom- 

 age of our Society and to accompany his remains to their final resting 

 place in Beechwood cemetery. 



The third death which, as a Society, we have to deplore is that of 

 the Rev. Dr. Withrow, of Toronto. One may almost say that he was one 

 of the founders of the Society, since he was elected in Section II as early 

 as the year 1884. During the 24 years that he was associated with us he 

 contributed many important papers to our Transactions, and we shall 



