PREFACE. "" 



funds, has been laid out in the purchase of Books on useful 

 and Scientific subjects, and of Instruments and Materials 

 for Chemical Analysis and experiments, for demonstrations 

 in Natural Philosophy, and for Practical Astronomy. The 

 Mineralogical Cabinet, and the collections of native 

 Botanical, and Geological specimens, which are daily 

 increasing by the kindness of various contributors, will 

 tend much towards forwarding the same purpose. And the 

 Society expects soon to possess sufficient materials to form 

 the subjects of lectures on different sciences, to be delivered 

 either by some of its own members, or by occasional 



visitants. 



In accordance with these objects; with the desire of 

 giving publication to matters of general interest, and, at 

 the same time, of exciting those persons, who possess 

 talents and opportunities for observing, to record and 

 transmit the result of their observations, the present volume 

 is submitted to the Canadian reader. 



Quebec, 30th December, 1830. 



