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i-aniloni. Sucli societies as had been formed were devoted to science inr 

 general; very little work of any local value had been handed down to 

 us; no efibrt had been made to study the resources of this neighbour- 

 hood; there had been no practical working parties, no co-operation of 

 forces; each student followed his ovvn bent, and in many cases trod an 

 unencouraged and unsympathetic path. Seeing what a field there was ta 

 work, and knowing how much could be accomplished by united efforts^ 

 our woithy ex-President conceived the idea of the Club; his energy 

 carried it into effect, and his contagious zeal and activity have main- 

 tained its successful career. During one year as Vice-President, and thr^ie 

 successive years as President, the bulk of the labour (ell on his shoidders,. 

 not only the arduous duties of.managiug, but al.so the more valuable 

 work of directing the various branches of natural history, for 

 there is hardly a branch in which there is not some student who can 

 trace a fondness for nature to his assistance and enthusiasm. The 

 result of his efforts is such as he can look at with i)ride, and were nothing 

 further accomplished he has done enough to have his name for ever 

 associated with the development of our local natural resources. To 

 those who remeuiber the condition of the study of natural science 

 before the formation of this Club, its present popularity and 

 progress tell of a veiy material change. Workers are now united and 

 their effoits systematized. Numbers have been induced to enter upon 

 the study, some of whom form our most active members. Branchea 

 hitherto unnoticed now possess energetic searchei's. 



Our Traiisactions are very creditable. They place on record much 

 local information, valuable not only to us as residents, but to all others, 

 more especially those who may reside here in the future. The geology 

 and stratigi-aphy are A'ery clearly explained, many minerals of economic 

 value are described, the lists of plants, birds, fishes and shells are ot 

 incalculable value; each year they are added to and })ei'fected, new ones 

 commenced, and before another four years shall have i)assed, the 

 resources of this district will be so thoroughly known that we shall be 

 sighing for fresh fields to explore and conquer. Already longing eyes 

 are being cast upon surrounding regions. Our limits will soon become 

 a question requiring deep consideration, but I can see that our donuxin 

 will eventually comprise all that natural basin drained b)' the Ottawa 



