PRESIDENTS ADDRESS. XXV 



Harold S. Davis, B. A. ; and notes on fishes in Xova Scotia by our 

 Secretary Mr. Harry Piers. 



This is good work so far as a few members of the Institute 

 are concerned. But more of us should have put new work on its: 

 records. Our publication funds and our magnificent exchange list,, 

 put us within the reach of privileges and advantages which 1 

 trust we may fully exploit during the present year. 



Perhaps we should annually attempt at least one or two 

 popular demonstrations of science applied to industries, the con- 

 servation of health, or the development of public utilities some- 

 thing to interest the general public or to inspire the young student. 



DEATH OF DR. R. W. ELLS. 



We have to record with profound regret the loss during the 

 year of one of our most useful and eminent members. By the 

 passing away of the late Dr. Robert Wheelock Ells, LL. D., 

 F. R. S. C., who died at the late residence on O'Connor street, 

 Ottawa, early Tuesday morning, 23rd May, Canada loses one of 

 her ablest scientists. Dr. Ells had been a member of the Geologi- 

 cal Survey of Canada for nearly forty years, having joined the 

 staff under Sir Wm. Logan, the founder of the survey. 



The late Dr. Ells was descended from U. E. L. ancestors 

 who came to Xova Scotia in 1761. He was born at Cornwallis, 

 X. S., in 1845 and was educated at Horton Academy, at Acadia 

 University and at McGill University from which he graduated 

 in 1872 with first class honors and the Logan gold medal in geo- 

 logy, and natural history. He married in 1873, Miss Harriett X. 

 Stevens of Onslow, X. S. Joining the staff oi the Canadian 

 Geological Survey in 1872, he has since been constantly engaged 

 in geological work in that branch of the service. 



He was also a prominent Fellow of the, Royal Society of 

 Canada, a Fellow of the American Geological Society, and a 

 member of the Canadian Mining Institute. Besides being a past 

 .president of the Ottawa Literary and Scientific Society, Dr. Ells 

 had also been president of the Ottawa Valley Graduates' Society 

 of McGill University, and for a number of years past had held 

 the position of representative Fellow for the province of Ontario 



