218 LE NATURALISTÉ CANADIEN 
don to consider the necessity for the formation of a new 
International Scientific Organization. In November, 1919, 
a further Conference was held in Paris, and it was at this 
Conference that the International Research Council came 
into existence. Under this Council there are two Unions, 
namely, the International Astronomical Union and the In- 
ternational Union of Geodesy and Geophysics. 
Al the Allied countries were invited to participate in the 
necessary arrangements, and to coo-perate with the Interna- 
tional Research Council. In conformity with a general 
resolution which was passed by that Council, each Interna- 
tional Committee shall be formed of representatives of 
appropriate scientific societies and public services, and by 
representatives of the Government. It shall be nominated by 
the principal Academy of Science of the country concerned, 
or by its own National Research Council, or by some other 
competent National Institution. 
In conformity with the procedure thus indicated, ‘the 
question of Canadian membership in the International 
Research Council and its Allied Unions, was taken up with 
the Royal Society of Canada and it was referred by this 
Society to the Research Council of Canada. It was felt 
that this country should be represented in the International 
Organization which included the Unions of Chemistry, 
Astronomy and Geophysics. The Canadian Society of 
Chemical Industry agreed to accept the responsability 
for Canadian membership in the International Chemical 
Union. ‘The Unions of Astronomy, and the Unions of 
Geodesy and Geophysics presented a more difficult pro- 
blem, since departments in the Dominion Government 
are more vitally interested in this science than outside 
Organizations. | 
Astronomy in Canada is carried on extensively by the 
