APR 10 1917 



81 

 EDITORIAL. 



Collecting in most of the branches of Natural History has now 

 come to an end for the season. The naturalist, however, must never 

 rest on his oars. There is much to do even now. The collections of 

 the past season have to be sorted out and arranged, new discoveries or 

 rare species must be put aside for description or for exhibition at the 

 winter soirees. This, too, is a branch of ovir work which is much 

 neglected by members. There is always time at the evening meetings 

 for a short chat before or after the lectures, and if workers in different 

 branches of natural history would each time bring a few of their re- 

 markable captures for exhibition and discussisn at the soirees it would 

 add largely to the interest and would certainly cause these agreeable 

 reunions to be better attended. 



There are very few cities which equal Ottawa in the advantages 

 which it offers for scientific study and relaxation. The Geological and 

 Natural History Surrey, with its grand museum and large staff of 

 active naturalists, of coui'se first demands mention. The museums of 

 the Department of Fisheries, the Ottawa Literary and Scientific Society 

 and the Normal School, as well as the various private collections of our 

 own members, render it unnecessary, in most lines of study, for the 

 beginner to be hampered by the great trouble and expense of sending 

 his material away for identification. Besides the above advantages, 

 there are opportunities right through the winter, at least once a week, 

 of hearing lectures upon scientific subjects. The programme of the 

 Club Lectures is presented herewith, and I think most will agree that 

 it is one of the best programmes we have ever had offered to us. In 

 addition to our own lectures, which will of course be published in the 

 Naturalist, I purpose recording during the present winter the pro- 

 ceedings of the Ottawa Literary and Scientific Society. In the present 

 number will be found Mr. H. B, Small's excellent address as President 

 for the current year, which I feel sure will be read with pleasure by all 

 of our subscribers. 



The Treasurer begs to request those members who have not already 

 paid their subscriptions to do so as soon as conveniently possible. The 

 subscription is necessax-ily payable in advance so as to meet the ex- 



