Ixxx PROCEEDINGS. 



remain, and we may feel satisfied if we have contributed our quota of 

 bricks to the daily increasing foundation of the sciences. 



In every division of nature our deductions and laws remain good 

 until rendered untenable by the unanswerable chill of fresh facts. The 

 true student rejoices at the demolition of his fabric when he knows that 

 the opportunity is offered of modelling it on a broader and surer 

 foundation. 



It is largely in the accumulation of facts that a useful future lies 

 before us, and I would impress upon you the desirability of enrolling 

 every person who can give careful and accurate observations upon the 

 natural world surrounding us. 



One discovery by one of our members of an important fact bearing 

 on the protection of our agricultural products from the attacks of 

 noxious insects, the introduction of a form of animal or vegetable life 

 capable of anchorage here, and serving to our needs, or any similar 

 discover}*, would many times repay the money we have spent. We 

 should have on our list every person willing to study in these or kindred 

 branches, and to such substantial assistance should, I think, not be denied 

 by you. 



The transactions of the past session of the Institute will, I think, 

 be considered, to say the least, quite up to the mark. Of most general 

 interest will be found the portrait of our late friend, Dr. Lawson, and 

 Prof. MacGregor's sketch of his busy and useful life. In addition to the 

 regular papers, matters of interest were submitted at various meetings 

 by Prof. MacGregor, Drs. 'MacKay and Somers. At a special meeting the 

 Kev. G. Patterson read a valuable paper on " Newfoundland Folk 

 Speech." 



In the Transactions are two linked papers by Prof. MacGregor and D. 

 Mclntosh on the calculation of the conductivity of mixtures of 

 electrolytes. The former showed by a graphical process, based on 

 observations, the calculability of the conductivity of a series of mixtures 

 of solutions of chloride of sodium and potassium. He found that 

 the calculations agreed with the observations in dilute solutions, but not 

 in stronger ones. The latter extended the observations in order to 

 determine the differences between the observed and calculated values in 

 the case of the stronger solutions, and the extent of agreement in the 

 case of solutions of sodium chloride and hydrochloric acid which have 

 ionic velocities differing more, widely. 



