XC1X 



As a preparation for the new state of affairs, which must come, and 

 as a means of partly meeting the present want, it has been suggested 

 that the collections should be reorganised. 



The establishment of a museum, taking the word in its wide and 

 proper sense, is an expensive undertaking beyond the means of a Pro- 

 vincial Government. In our position a much more limited definition of 

 the word would be most useful and cost but little. If the Museum were 

 restricted to the collection and exhibition of material purely Provincial, it 

 would be valuable and practically without cost. A museum, illustrating 

 the natural resources of the Province, of the ocean, the woods, the soil, 

 the minerals, and the manufactures depending on them, would be a credit 

 ta the country and city, and of untold interest and value to visitors and 

 capitalists who could see at a glance what we had to offer. A scheme 

 such as this should meet general approval, and still better could be made 

 at a very small cost. 



There is in the Museum much material which, interesting in itself, 

 is of little scientific or teaching value, as it is incomplete This could 

 be given or traded with other institutions for material needed for com- 

 pleting or supplementing local collections. I know, as a matter of fact) 

 that there are numbers of people in the Province who would be ready to 

 contribute to a practical exposition of our resources as outlined above. 



Some slight work has been done in the way of re-arranging and 

 labeling the more important collections, but they have been seriously 

 drawn upon for various foreign exhibitions, and require renewal. The 

 Mining Society of Nova Scotia has already taken an interest in this 

 matter conjointly with the Institute, and these two bodies may see their 

 way to effect improvements in addition to those already made. 



The following papers have been communicated to the Institute during 

 the past year : 



Two papers by Professor McGregor on the Eelation of the Physical 

 Properties of Solutions to their State of lonization. 



Recent discoveries regarding the young and eggs of fishes, by 

 Dominion Fishery Commissioner Prince. 



The botany of the vicinity of Halifax, by Rev. Brother Peter. 



Measurements of two Beothuk skulls by Mr. W. H. Prest. 



New arrangements in sailing gear, by Charles Twining. 



Some analyses of Nova Scotia coals and minerals, by the President. 



