PRESIDENTS ADDRESS. Vll 



nature studies, such a catalogue would be suggestive and helpful in 

 selecting those fields of work which have been most neglected in Nova 

 Scotia. In the appendix to this catalogue there might be a list of the 

 scientific books belonging to the City Public Library and to Dalhousie 

 College, and also a yearly supplement of publications received by the 

 Institute. 



The year 1864 is also marked by the decision to have a series 

 of Field Meetings in the summer season. The first excursion was 

 to St. Margaret's Bay in June to investigate some Indian remains in 

 that vicinity. These meetings were continued in 1865. They were very 

 interesting and profitable. After visiting a locality and studying its 

 natural history the members would assemble at some point for dinner, 

 discussion, and the reading of papers relating to the day's work. 



At a conversazione in the Horticultural Gardens on the 6th of 

 July, there were about 200 persons present. The President delivered 

 an address on the advantages which the Institute, if properly supported 

 and encouraged, might be expected to confer upon the country. He 

 afterwards gave a very interesting description of the butterflies and 

 moths of Nova Scotia. Dr. Gilpin described the manner of taking and 

 smoking Digby Herring. Mr. Gossip read a paper on the geological 

 formation of Halifax. Dr. Lawson discoursed on Botany, while all the 

 company enjoyed a repast of cakes, strawberries and cream, lemonade 

 and ices. Thus, in the early days of this Society was the love of science 

 fostered. The resumption of some of these old practices, which have 

 Unfortunately fallen into abeyance, would not be a retrograde movement. 

 If we would study Nature honestly and effectively we must meet her 

 face to face. She does not woo by proxy, by text-books, illustrations 

 or recitations. With this principle in view then let me draw up an 

 imaginary programme for next summer's Field Meetings. 



Accompanied by friends we meet in the Public Gardens at 8.30 a. m. 

 on the third Saturday in June, every one provided with substantial 

 lunches. After an hour spent with Superintendent Power and Drs. 

 MacKay and Lindsay investigating ferns and learning the scientific 

 names of the trees and shrubs we take the street car to Point Pleasant. 

 Here we examine the beautiful synclinal on the shore, and collect 

 specimens of littoral fauna and flora. We then cross the Ferry to 

 Purcell's Cove and have lunch, followed by shoH addresses relating to 

 the scientific peculiarities of our immediate environment. After some 



