president's address. V- 



been delegated bv the Government to devise some system of uniform 

 time for the purposes of navigation presented a translation of this 

 memoir as a complete solution of the difficulty. On this continent, 

 the adoption by American railway systems of the standard time belts, 

 with the practical convenience of which every traveller is familiar, 

 is largely the result of these papers, and I feel that we may with 

 confidence look forward to the ultimate adoption ere long of the 

 greater scheme of uniform time for the world. 



7. In the course of last year a deputation, appointed by our Council, 

 waited upon the Government of Ontario, and urged upon them the 

 desirability of protecting such monuments of prehistoric times as are 

 still to be found within the provincial boundaries, as, for instance, 

 the mounds on Rainy River and others, and of encouraging and 

 assisting in the collection and preservation of the fast vanishing relics 

 of the Red Man. I cannot say of this application, as I did of the 

 others, that it has as yet borne fruit ; but let us hope that the next 

 President may be able to record its complete success. 



I trust that the foregoing sketch of the past history of the Institute 

 will have sufficiently established its claim to have done good work 

 for the promotion of pure and applied science, as well as the direct 

 and indirect benefits confei'red on the public by this work. I 

 come next to the question of our present condition, and in the first 

 place let me say that there is great reason for congratulation. The 

 attendance at the meetings and the interest taken in the various sub- 

 jects under discussion show a considerable and steady progress. The 

 number and character of the papers read during the last session are 

 highly satisfactory, and the prospects for the ensuing session very 

 encouraging. Even at this early date the number of papers promised 

 will more than fill every evening, and it may be confidently affirmed 

 that our published " Proceedings " will be more varie:! in range of sub- 

 jects, and perhaps more thorough in character, than ever before. The 

 accession of new blood by the incorporation of the Natural History 

 Society has already produced greater activity and enthusiasm in our 

 institution. The creation of the new class of associates, consisting of 

 young men, for the most part earning their daily bread in mechanical 

 and commercial pui-suits, is another j)leasing feature which cannot 

 fail to be of benefit to the youth of this city. The membei*ship, 

 though not largely increased, at least yields a larger income in pro- 



