REPORT OF THE SOCIETY 83 



just for the asking, they ask it for the pleasure there is in receiving and the 

 satisfaction in possessing it, but it costs them too Uttle to be of any great 

 value in their eyes. I could here name a large number of institutions where 

 official collections rest peacefully in the dust until they are roused by being 

 thrown out of the window. The collection of seeds furnished by the Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture at Ottawa, that of rocks and minerals offered by the 

 Department of Mines, likewise at Ottawa, that consisting of 40 minerals 

 given by the Bureau of Mines of Quebec share this fate. They were asked 

 because they cost nothing. On their arrival, they were opened, perhaps 

 they were shown to some visitors. No further use was made of them. 

 Of course this is not the rule but it is far more than the exception: 1 speak 

 of what has fallen under my personal observation. From this, one easily 

 understands why the authorities sometimes hesitate before voting expenses, 

 the usefulness of which is not evident. Not to go outside Quebec, allow me 

 to quote a few words of the Superintendent of Mines. He had attempted 

 in his department what we wish to do in another, and had bought small 

 collections of minerals to distribute to the schools. Here are his impressions: 



"Three years ago I had made small mineral collections consist- 

 ing of 40 specimens and I prepared some very elementary notes on Mineral- 

 ogy in order to place the preliminary notions of this science within the 

 grasp of children of a dozen years of age. My object was not to have the 

 pupils make a course in Mineralogy, but rather to develop in some a taste 

 for this science. These little collections and their explanatory pamphlets 

 are at the disposal of the schools which ask the Inspector General of Schools 

 for them. Our success so far has been rather negative: I have met with 

 m.ore indifference than encouragement." 



I should like to believe that we shall be more successful than he, but 

 my trust is not a decisive argument. For my part, I feel confident that we 

 should do more for the success in view^ if we could get people interested in 

 collections, in undertaking them, in perfecting these themselves, by placing 

 ourselves at their disposal to help them. If, then, the Government consented 

 to grant us financial aid, I should be of the opinion that these collections 

 be mere outlines, if I may so speak, and an attraction. Those who would 

 not be interested would waste less money; those really interested, knowing 

 our willingness to help them, would push forw^ard of their own accord and 

 as a result their personal profit w^ould be much greater. 



Here are many suggestions. I am bold enough to believe them useful, 

 but I leave to your deliberation the freedom of changing, of approving or 

 rejecting them. I think, however, that the principle that has inspired them 

 ought not to be overlooked: in practice, we shall do but little ourselves 



