Ixxviii PROCEEDINGS. 



fortunately the key to the organic compounds and can read causes for 

 resemblances and differences. The study of these has been of vast 

 importance to the commercial world, but here is a field unwrought, 

 not for want of workers, but by the very difficulty of the work challeng- 

 ing attack. I believe that here lies the key which once found will 

 unlock many of the mysteries of the chemical world. And one thing is 

 certain, the skill required to explain the mystery will give such power 

 and grasp to the discoverer that he will with ease unroll the panorama 

 of the elemental field and place it under man's open vision. 



The unfolding of the mystery of the rare earths is not only necessary, 

 then, to complete the Periodic system but they evidently conceal 

 some chemical truth not known or imperfectly understood, and so 

 not properly applied by chemists. Moreover, judging from the 

 number of elements claimed as rare earths and their resemblance 

 to each other, it is possible that they will overcrowd the Periodic system 

 and compel its modification or rejection. In either case the examination 

 will lead to large additions to the world's scientific knowledge, to truth, 

 the aim of all true scientists. 



The subject was discussed by several of those present, and a vote of 

 thanks was presented to DR. MAGEE. 



WATSON L. BISHOP, ESQ., exhibited a collection of Nova Scotian 

 birds' eggs, and made remarks thereon. 



SEVENTH ORDINARY MEETING. 



Legislative Council Chamber, Halifax, 13th May, 1901. 



The PRESIDENT in the chair. 



On motion of PROF. E. HAYCOCK, seconded by PROF. E. MACKAY, it 

 was resolved that the the K S. Institute of Science recognize as subordi- 

 nate branches, local organizations of its members in particular sections of 

 the Province, formed for the purpose of encouraging scientific study and 

 investigation; providing that such orgonizations are active and report 

 yearly at the annual business meeting of the Institute. Members of 

 such recognized branch societies who pay a yearly fee of one dollar to 

 the parent society shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of 

 ordinary members of the Institute. 



