Jvi PROCEEDINGS. 



twenty years these men from every country of Europe were studying the- 

 life and particular habits of the mosquitos, each contributing something 

 to help the others. But should it be asked what species of the mosquito- 

 we have in Nova Scotia, all we could say is that thirty different species- 

 are generally recognized on the continent. But we could not say how- 

 many are to be found here. We only presume that Culex pipiens is the 

 common if not the only one. 



If we had some observer studying the humble subject of our 

 mosquitos, even were in only demonstrating the different species to be- 

 found in this Province, we should have some share in this important, 

 discovery of the close of the century. In the meantime our high flown 

 deductive philosopher racking his brain in circling after grand truths, is 

 circling still, as near and yet as far as ever from the mental mirage he is- 

 following. The grand truths oftentimes come from the most unexpectedi 

 directions ; therefore it is wise for us to hold all truth in esteem and 

 worth the seeking. 



The past year is also, to a marked extent, the beginning of a new 

 epoch in the history of our Institute. The Provincial Museum, although 

 not the property of the Institute, was built up by the members of. the 

 Institute, and was from the beginning its headquarters. But for the 

 last few years it had become so crowded by the accumulation of material 

 and the lack of a curator, such as it had during the lifetime of Dr.. 

 Honeyman, that it served neither as an efficient museum nor as a. 

 desirable meeting place. Besides, our rapidly accumulating library,, 

 coming mainly as exchanges from the leading scientific institutions and 

 societies all over the world, could not at all be accommodated. For the 

 last few years the Council had to procure temporary accommodation for 

 it in the University building of Dalhousie, where there was proper 

 library room for but a portion of its volumes. 



The Provincial Government having seen the great importance of 

 stimulating scientific study as the foundation of a safe and rapid industrial 

 development of the country, and having the good fortune to be able to 

 secure on good terms the fine building adjacent to the Province Building 

 as an annex, with spare room beyond the immediate demands for offices,, 

 determined to provide the ways and means for the public utilization of 

 all this hidden wealth. The Museum has been transferred to the new 

 building and re-arranged on scientific lines under the curatorship of Mr. 

 Harry Piers, who is rapidly making it a real Provincial Museum.. 



