18 



hope in a few years to liear that they were only the first of many 

 plantations, started by other settlers through that fertile country. One 

 of the good effects of the attention paid to tree planting will doubtless 

 be the beautifying of our streets and public highways, by the planting 

 of shade-trees in every available spot, for one of the wise provisions of 

 the Society is that erery member must plant 25 trees every year or 

 ]>ay a subscription. 



In 1884 Canada is to honoured with a visit from the British 

 Association for the advancement of science and there is little doubt but 

 that the study of the natural sciences will receive as great an impetus 

 from this visit as it has from that of our American cousins. 



But I have dwelt at sufficient length on these matters to show- 

 that we in Canada have received such benefits during the past year as 

 to make us responsible for much in the futui-e. It is tlierefore the duty 

 of everyone, who takes a true interest in the welfare of his country, to 

 strive to help on in every way possible the cause of science, so that no 

 benefits may be lost which are derivable from these events I have 

 mentioned, and which surely mark a new epoch in the intellectual 

 development of our country. 



In looking over the programme of this winter's entertainments, you 

 may have noticed that it does not include any pa])ers on Entomology or 

 Botany. With your permission I will endeavour to remedy this 

 deficiency by directing your attention for a few minutes to some matters 

 in these two branches which it has occurred to me might be entertain- 

 ing and instructive. 



if * * * * # 



A case of insects belonging to the order Kemiptera, which had 

 been caught in the vicinity of Ottawa by Mr. Fletcher and Mr. Har 

 rington, was exhibited, and the life, histories and habits of the most 

 interesting were explained. This was much facilitated by some fine 

 enlarged figures executed by Mr. Harrington on the black-board. 



:{; * * iii ^ ^ 



Now there are a few points of botany I wisli to bring before your 

 notice. Some of you may i-emember that in tiiy inaugural address 

 last year, I drew your attention to the small flowered yellow 

 water-lily which is found in the Ottawa Kiver and which Botanists have 



