PROCEEDINGS 



OF THE 



(ATURAL HISTORY 

 ASSOCIATION 



OF 



MIRAMICHL 



INTRODUCTION. 



With this number of its proceedings the Miramichi Natural 

 History Association makes its debut on the stage of science, and 

 enters on its career among sister institutions. Relying on the 

 gencroas and fraternal spirit which marks scientific men and in- 

 spires a hearty welcome to new labourers in nature's vineyard, it 

 is confident of a warm reception, and would claim also their kind 

 indulgence of the errors and iniper;'ections of the articles laid be- 

 fore them. Conscious of their inexperience and scanty scientific 

 knowledge, but full of the hope born of youth and enthusiasm, 

 its members are looking onward and upward to a higher level, 

 when by time, devotion, and energy they will, in a manner, ac- 

 quire such a degree of accuracy of observation and vividness of 

 description, as will render their transactions worthy of a place 

 in the library of scientific exchanges. Until that stage is reach- 

 ed, they must continue to rely on the good will and indulgence 

 of the scieniific public. 



That such an organization has been formed here to study the 

 natural history and physical and biological phenomena of the 

 region is no surprise to students of science in any way acquaint- 

 ed with its rich, interesting and attractive character as a field of 

 I'esoarch. Some of these features may bo briefly alluded to, and 



