14 



The lecturer next dwelt upon the productions of the soil, and the richness 

 of the North- West in the departments of Botany, Geology, Entomology, 

 and Ornithology. 



An account was given of Lakes Huron and Superior, on the shores of 

 which lakes the flora is of a sub- Arctic type, the physical conditions of a 

 large body of cold water, with a low temperature and moist atmosphere, 

 somewhat resembling those on the shores of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 

 Inland, however, the flora is of the ordinary Canadian type, more Asiatic 

 than European. Two forms of mirage, seen on Lake Superior and on the 

 prairies, were described. 



In passing some small lakes on the prairies a few pelicans were seen, and 

 the manner in which these bii'ds feed is very interesting. Having con- 

 gregated in a sufiicient number on the edge of a small lake, they formed 

 into a line and walked into the water. Packed very closely in this way, 

 they drive the fish all into one corner, and a few more birds follow behind 

 the line. One or two then step out of the line, while those behind take 

 their places to prevent the fish escaping, and having filled their pouches, 

 walk out of the water and round again to keep the line intact until their 

 brethren are satisfied, or have caught all the fish. 



The prairies are wonderfully rich ornithologically, especially in ducks 

 and geese, which are to be found on all the small sheets of water in myriads. 

 The hawks, too, are remarkably plentiful and in very large variety. The 

 mammals seen were the moose and cariboo deer, prairie dog, chip-munk, 

 many species of foxes, and hares ; wild sheep and goats on the mountains; 

 and in the Kicking-horse Pass were pointed out prints in the freshly 

 fallen snow said to be those of the grizzly bear, which is plentiful there 

 still. No buffalo were seen, and there is every reason to fear that this 

 noble animal is already extinct in Canada. 



A number of entomological and other specimens, collected by the 

 lecturer, were exhibited, and the paper was followed by an interesting 

 discussion. 



May 8th, 1885. 



MISCELLANEOUS EXHIBITS. 



The first exhibit taken was that of the President, who showed the 

 emerald bird of paradise, which is confined to the island of Am, and of 

 which the nest and eggs are still unknown. It was supposed, when fii'st 

 described, to have no feet,. and was accordingly named Paradisea apoda. 

 C. D. Hardcastle showed a most valuable and interesting series of volcanic 

 rock specimens both ancient and modern, including the following : — Speci- 

 mens 1-6. — Volcanic bomb, varieties of lapilli, ashes, and sand. Bomb lump 

 of lava shot from volcano, rounded by rotating through the air ; outward 

 envelope of solid lava, surrounding vesicular ball, filled originally with 

 steam, and which by exi:)ansion bursts, and in some cases shatters the bomb, 

 producing lapilli and ashes. Specimen 6. Bomb 5^ lbs., outer shell | in. to 



