PROCEEDINGS FOR 1SS7. XXV 



of two continents, inaccessible for the most part to Canadian students. Moreover, the arrangements 

 made for the distribution of the Society's publications have enabled them to be placed in most of the 

 great public libraries of the world, where they are now available to literary and scientific men, 

 merchants, manufacturers, miners, agriculturists and capitalists who may desire to seek information 

 respecting the Canadian provinces, their geology, minerals, soil, products, climate, or the history, 

 civilisation and institutions of the people. Thus far we feel that substantial and permanent service 

 is rendered. Let us hope that wo may be enabled year by year to extend the domain of knowledge, 

 and to bring what becomes known within the range of our people in everything that relates to our 

 country, or is calculated to conduce to its welfare. "We all recognise that the Society must continue, 

 as it has begun, to be essentially one of workers, and only to-day have we had under consideration 

 a regulation designed to prevent any lapse in this respect, and to maintain the individual activity 

 of our actual Fellowship. 



The extent to which the active literary and scientific societies of the sevei-al provinces have 

 shewn a desire to afiSliate with us, and thus aid in concentration of effort, is indicated by the number 

 and value of their carefully, prepared reports published in our Proceedings for the past year; these 

 indicate also, perhaps not to the full extent, the useful work that is being done by local organisations. 

 Seventeen delegates wei-e present, and fourteen official leports were presented from so many active 

 societies in Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Manitoba. 



The delegations this year arc not fewer in number, and we may reasonably hope that the 

 reports to be presented will not be less gratifying. - The relation of the affiliated societies to the 

 central institution is not merely formal and official, but of an active character, and nmst necessarily 

 have a beneficial influence upon them, giving at once an impulse to their local work, and serving to 

 diffuse more widely a knowledge of the scientific labours of their members, bringing them into touch 

 with co-workers. We are all apt to strive with increased ardour when we know that our work will 

 be more extensively useful to those who can appi-eciate it. 



But my remai'ks must not be prolonged, for there is still to be brought before you this evening 

 by one whose name is a household word wherever science is known, a subject of direct scientific 

 interest, viz., the geological relations of our countrj^ to western Europe. Let mo in conclusion, then, 

 briefly say to those of the audience who are here as visitors, that it is gratifying to the members of 

 the Rojal Society of Canada, in this jubilee 3'ear of our gi-acious sovereign, to be able to look upon 

 the results so far achieved, and to feel that we have, not without difficulty, but, so far, with fair 

 measure of success, carried out the objects contemplated when the Society was formed five years ago. 

 Then we gathered around its originator, the Marquis of Lome, to assist in giving it form and life. 

 As an earnest and active patron, ho cherished the organisation and promoted its objects in many ways, 

 not only during his residence in this country, while he continued to occupy the distinguished position 

 of Governor-General of Canada, but subsequently when he could no longer be present at our meetings. 

 We have had substantial assurances that he still regards its progress with unabated interest. The 

 Society has also had the good fortune to enjoy the signal favour and encouragement of His Excellency 

 Lord Lansdowne, our present Honorary President. As men loyal to literature and science, as to 

 queen and country, let us rejoice that this Royal Society of Canada now takes its place as one of the 

 permanent institutions of the Dominion. 



SESSION III. {May 26th.) 



The members of the Society assembled at 10 o'clock, a.m., and the President called the meeting 

 to order. 



Reports from Affiliated Societie.s (^Continued.) 

 The Societies which had not hitherto reported presented the following Reports : — 



Proc. 1887. D. 



