50 



THIRD REPORT OF THE ( OlMIL OF THE 



NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION OF 



3IIRA3IICH1. 



In presenting its third biennial report of the proceedings and 

 condition of the Association, the Council would refer to the 

 irreparable loss that, in couinion with other scientific institutions 

 in Canada and elsewhere, it sustained in the early and lamented 

 death of its distinguished patron Dr. G. W. Dawson, late 

 Director of the Geological Survey of Canada. The honor he con- 

 ferred on the Association by accepting the position was even ex- 

 ceeded by the warm, helpful interest he took in its welfare and 

 progress; and hence the loss is more direct and personal than 

 that of most institutions. He \va- one of Canada's most distin- 

 guished sons, into the short span of whose life was crowded a 

 wealth of scientific research and labour, a harvest of patient in- 

 vestigation and discovery which would have done honour to the 

 longest life. While the Association then mourns the death of 

 its patron and will miss his guiding, inspiring, and generous 

 spirit, it finds some consolation and no little [)ride in enrolling 

 among its early friends and sui)porters one whose memory will 

 be ever dear to the scientific heart of Canada. 



It is gratifying to report that His Honour Governor Snowball 

 has kindly accepted the position of i)atron, and already shown a 

 warn] interest in the Association. A resident of the town, a 

 gentleman of bvoad public spirit and generous culture. Governor 

 Snowball will prove an efhcient patron. 



The annual reports of the Association U) the Koyal Society of 

 Canada were duly presented at its meetings by the late patron in 

 1901, and by Hem. J. V. Ellis in 1902. 



In regard to our standing at present we wisli to state that al- 

 though our mendjership has lieen slightly reduced by death and 

 removals we have more working material among us than ever 

 and hope to give good evidence of it this season. To t;iis end 

 we are being stimulated by the increased interest the public, 

 both at houjB and abroad, are taking in our proceedings. 



