11 PROCEEDINGS. 
the structure and geologic formation of Digby Basin throw much light 
on some hitherto obscure problems of the geology of that region. 
The teaching of science in our public schools would be greatly 
improved if the methods recommended by Dr. MacGregor, 1n his able 
address on Physical Laboratory Work, were generally adopted. 
It is too soon yet to attempt any prediction regarding Mr. Twining’s 
novel experiments in boat-sailing. They seem calculated to lead to a 
great improvement in the quality of speed by showing how friction and 
water displacement may be reduced to a minimum. 
Dr. MacKay’s phenological observations, assisted as he is by a large 
corps of observers all over the Dominion, may lead to some important 
generalizations regarding the relation of organized life to latitude and 
other climatic conditions. 
I have referred to the difficulty of securing papers on scientific sub- 
jects for our ordinary meetings. This does not necessarily imply that 
our members are becoming less interested in science than formerly. It 
may and probably does mean that work in science like work in every 
other department of human life is becoming more specialized. Our 
earlier scientists, worked in comparatively new fields. It was then an 
easy matter to find plants or animals not previously known in our 
country and with the aid of good text books to describe and identify 
them. The first explorers in a rich gold mine find it easy to make 
fortunes. Those who come later require much greater skilland patience. 
It did not require much scientific knowledge forty years ago to enable a 
man to acquire some reputation in the field of science. The possibilities 
in this respect made it more attractive as an outlet for the expen- 
diture of those surplus energies which are nowadays required for the 
severer business competition of a more congested state of society. 
Then, a little enthusiasm, a vasculum, an insect net and a pocket- 
glass comprised all the outfit necessary to enable a man to write valuable 
papers and to give him a good standing in our Institute. Now he requires 
a thorough scientific training, costly scientific apparatus, and years of 
patient toil to be able to add a single new or valuable idea to our 
scientific knowledge. It is not, therefore, difficult to understand that 
scientific pursuits as a recreation are every year becoming less attractive 
and are being left to those who make of them the business of life. 
While, in some departments of natural science, such as natural 
history, elementary electricity, and geology, the charm of novelty, ease 
