119 

 GEOLOarCAL PROGRESS IN CANADA. 



President's Inaugural Address. 



By R. W. Ells, LL D., F.G.S.A. 



(Delivered Dec. 13th, 1889.) 



Mr. Chau'man, ladies and gentlemen, in opening the present series 

 of soirees and lectures pertaining to the Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club, 

 I can only regret that the task has not fallen on some one of its many 

 members, who from a larger and more intimate acquaintance with the 

 work and aims of the Society, would have been much better fitted to 

 present its claims and to advance the subject in all its bearings. As, 

 however, accident or design has placed the responsibility on my shoul- 

 ders I will attempt to lay before you, briefly, a few facts bearing upon, 

 the Club's actual condition, and strive to indicate what, under proper 

 and wise guidance, and with a due manifestation of interest on the part 

 of its members will conduce to the undoubted successful future to 

 which the Society should do its utmost to aspire. 



Established in 1878 by a small body of enthusiastic amateurs in 

 the study of the various branches of Natural History, this Society has 

 grown steadily in public favor, till now we are happy to point to a 

 membership of not far from 250 persons. Among these we are proud 

 to be able to number mauy of our best and most enterprising citizens, 

 both ladies and gentlemen. We include in our list, I think, nearly or 

 quite all those whose tastes and inclinations have led them to desire a 

 more intimate acquaintance with the wonderful and beautiful things 

 of nature, either through the agency of the regular excursions which 

 are held during the summer months, or through the lecture courses in 

 which many of the notes and facts then obtained are presented in. 

 attractive form, and in a manner in many respects probably more 

 instructive. Of our members, while many may not lay claim to the 

 title of scientists, in the strict acceptation of the term, it may be said, 

 that, by some, at least, much excellent and lasting work in the cause of 

 science has been accomplished, as can be readily seen by reference to 

 the published volumes of the Club's Transactions ; while of many others 

 it may be safely asserted that a large store of valuable notes and obser- 



