THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA. 313 
undergo only a partial variation of brightness. The result to which 
these observations lead us, and. which we can, I believe, generalise 
without scruple, can be announced as follows :—our sun is a star, and 
its physical constitution is identical with that of the millions of suns 
with which our firmament is everywhere strewn. I have been com- 
pelled, in the duty which was committed to me in the commencement, 
to give a sketch of all our present knowledge relative to the volume, 
distance, and physical constitution of the immense globe which 
illuminates us. This sketch, within the prescribed limits, will be 
sufficient to undeceive those persons who had thought it necessary to 
call in question the importance and certainty of the results obtained 
by modern astronomers. They will acknowledge, if they are candid, 
that in the history of the progress of knowledge, a progress which 
will without doubt be unlimited, the labors of the astronomers of the 
nineteenth century will not pass unperceived.. As to criticisms not 
inspired by the love of truth, they would not deserve to fix for a 
moment the attention of this assembly, and I think that I may, for 
my, own part, pass. them by. with contempt.—Translated from the 
*« Annuaire du Bureau des Longitudes pour Van 1852.” 
| J. B.C, 
SCIENTIFIC AND LITERARY NOTES. 
THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA. 
A meeting of Canadian Entomologisis was held at Toronto, in the rooms of 
the Canadian Institute, on Thursday, the 16th of April, for the purpose of taking’ 
into consideration the propriety of forming a society for the advancement of 
Entomological pursuits. 
The following gentlemen were. present:—Rev. Prof. W. Hincks, F.L.S. ; Prof, 
H. Croft, D.C.L.; Beverly R. Morris, Esq., M.D.; J. H. Sangster, Esq., a M. ; 
and J. Hubbart, Faq, of Toronto. Thomas Gondey Hsq., M.D.; and H. Gone 
dry, Esq., York Mills. Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, M.A. Cobourg; and W. Saunders, 
Hsq., London. 
Prof. Hincks was appointed chairman, and Mr. Bethune Secretary pro tem. 
Letters, of apology for non attendance were read from H. Billings, Esq. F.G.S., 
Montreal; R. V. Rogers, Esq., Kingston; F. Reynolds, Esq., Hamilton; B. Bil- 
lings, Esq., Prescott; Rev. V. Clementi, B.A., Peterboro’; and HE. B. Reed, Esq, 
London. These gentlemen expressed deep regret at their inability to attend, and. 
pledged themselves. to do all in their power to further the interests of the 
society: 
