1890-91.] EIGHTEENTH MEETING. 33 



The Geological and Mining Section reported the following resolution : — 

 *' We are of opinion that until a provincial department of mines is estab- 

 lished the mining and metallurgical interests of Ontario cannot receive 

 that attention which their importance demands, and therefore recom- 

 mend that a mining convention be called to meet in the City of Toronto, 

 at the Canadian Institute, on the 31st day of March, at 10 a.m., to con. 

 sider measures for the advancement of the mining industry, and the 

 advisability of establishing a provincial department of mines. The 

 Canadian Institute is hereby requested to give notice calling upon the 

 various mining localities throughout the province to send delegates to 

 meet the delegates appointed by the Institute for the purpose of laying 

 their views before the Provincial Government." It was resolved that the 

 institute adopt the resolution passed by the Geological and Mining 

 Section, and refer it to that section to carry out the details. 



Mr. David Boyle read " A Summary of the Archaeological Report for 

 1890 91." He referred to the increased interest in matters relating to 

 archaeology, the discovery of many valuable ethnological facts in connec- 

 tion with the year's operations of the Institute, and the large number of 

 specimens that had been added to the Provincial Museum during that 

 time. 



Mr. Boyle also read a paper by Mr. G. E. Lajdlaw on " Indian 

 Remains and Relics Found in the Neighborhood of Balsam Lake." In 

 illustration of the statements made he exhibited several remarkably 

 beautiful, curious and instructive specimens of aboriginal workmanship, 

 forming part of the Laidlaw collection in the museum. There was als3 

 on view a unique specimen of Hydah wood-carving, in the shapeof a 

 group of three animals, the central and chief of which is a seal, about 

 five feet in length, and supported at each end by fantastically cut figures. 

 Mr. Boyle explained that this specimen came from a remote island in 

 the Queen Charlotte archipelago, and had been secured for the Institute 

 through Mr. W. H. Jones of the Vancouver World. A small canoe 

 model from the same place was also shown. Both specimens are painted 

 in red, white and black, after the manner peculiar to Hydah artists. 



Mr. J. W. L, Forster said there seemed something pathetic in the 

 artistic efforts of these rude people. There was a striving after some 

 higher ideal amid their antagonistic surroundings. There was a striving 

 after the arts of peace amid the contentions of savage tribes. The 

 brotherhood of man was here brought out in these rude efforts of ait. 



Mr. Arthur Harvey referred to the mounds in Florida. They were 

 100 feet in height and 100 feet across. The only things now found in 

 them are shells. These shell mounds are similar to those now found in 

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