PEOCEEDI]SrGS_FOR 1887. T 



We cannot perform a more useful work than in encouraging all kindred societies in Canada to 

 present themselves once a year with a synopsis of the work they are perfoi-ming in their respective 

 centres of activity. Their reports of four years past are exceedingly interesting reading for all 

 those who wish to follow the pi'ogress of scientific and historic investigation in the country. 



Several societies, under difficult circumstances, are doing important work in preserving and 

 publishing the local histories of the communities in which they are interested. But a great deal 

 remains to he done in the same line of historic investigation. Every encouragement should he given 

 by the Provincial Governments to these struggling associations, which ai'o attempting to preserve 

 the recoi-ds of the past, bcfoie they aie entirely lost. Among the old families of Canada — the sons 

 and grandchildi'cn of the pioneers — can be gatheicd many historic documents and much valuable 

 information. We hope then to see in every county of Canada the formation of iiistoric associations, 

 whose work will be most useful to the histories of the future, and the essential element of whose 

 labours will be the creation of that national sentiment so important in a country like ours. 



We regret that the engagements of the membeis of the Athénée Louisianais, to whom the usual 

 invitation was sent in the beginning of the year, have prevented them sending one or more delegates 

 to this meeting. We have lecoived a very sympathetic letter in response to the invitation signed by the 

 Honorary Sccretarj' and the Seci-etary of Section I, and cordially unite with the members of the 

 southern society in the expression of tiio hope that the next genei'al meeting will welcome the 

 Jitei'ary union of representatives of French Canada and French Louisiana — of that race which once 

 promised to be as influential in the south as it has Ijccome in the noi'th, under the benign influences 

 of British institutions. 



It will be seen that among the names of gentlemen who have promised to be present at this 

 meeting is that of Dr. Hai't .Meri-iam, who comes accredited by the Department of Agriculture at 

 Washington, whose chief, the lion. Norman .1. Coleman, expresses the belief that "a conference with 

 the members of the Association will jiromote the investigations that Dr. Merriam is conducting." It 

 is interesting to note, in this connection, that several papers are promised by gentlemen in the same 

 field of enquiry in which the American delegate has distinguished himself We have also much 

 pleasure in announcing that we have the benefit of the jsresence of Dr. Franz Boas, the distinguished 

 Arctic explorer, and one of the editors o( Science, who will contribute papers that will no doubt evoke 

 the interest of the Society. 



Two vacancies will have to be filled by the Society, one caused by the resignation of Mr. Sangster 

 in Section IT, and the other bj^ the sudden death of Dr. Bain in Section III. Few men in the Royal 

 Society, a few months ago, appeared to have a brighter or more useful cai'cer before him than the 

 gentleman last mentioned. Still young in years, he had won for himself a high reputation in that 

 branch of study to which he was specially devoting himself In the nature of things, had death 

 spared him, he would have probably achieved a most enviable position in the ranks of those Canadians 

 who have already made science respected at home and abroad. 



We regret to find that the Government of the Dominion has not yet found itself in a position to 

 recommend to Parliament a grant for the establishment of a regular system of observations of tides 

 and currents in the waters of the Dominion. We advise, however, that the Royal Society should not 

 cease its exertions in this direction ; but that it should, as soon as convenient, send another delegation 

 to the Government to press the necessity of these observations on its attention. Unless something is 

 done ere long, it is probable thai the British Association for the Advancement of Science will cease to 

 take an interest in the matter so far as we are concerned. The subject is one of such great jîractical 

 utility to Canada, as a commercial and shipping community, that we cannot suppose that it will be 

 overlooked for any length of time by a Government alive to the interests of the whole Dominion. 



In the course of the winter, the Council received a copy of the following letter addressed by Sir 

 W. Dawson to Prof Stokes, President of the Royal Society, on the subject of a " scientific federation " 

 of the Empire, under the auspices of that Society. 



