December 8, 1916] 



SCIENCE 



833 



"Concerning a Certain Non-involutory System 

 of Partial Differential Equations," by C. T. Sulli- 

 van, lecturer in mathematics, McGill University, 

 Montreal. Presented by Jas. Harkness, F.K.S.C. 



"The Algebraic Basis for Two Formulae in the 

 Theory of Expansions according to Bessel Func- 

 tions," by James Harkness, M.A., F.R.S.C. 



"Alternate Number Indices in Triangular Co- 

 ordinates," by J. C. Glashan, LL.D., F.K.S.C. 



"On the Scattering and Attenuation of Radia- 

 tion in the Solar Atmosphere, ' ' by Louis Vessot 

 King, M.A. (Cantab.), D.Sc. (McGill), F.R.S.C, 

 associate professor of physics, McGill University, 

 Montreal. 



"On Boundary Conditions in the Dynamical 

 Theory of Gases," by Louis Vessot King, M.A. 

 (Cantab.), D.Sc. (McGill), F.E.S.C. 



"Progress on 72-inch Reflecting Telescope," by 

 Dr. J. S. Plaskett, F.R.S.C, Dominion Observatory, 

 Ottawa. 



" Hygrometry, " by A. Norman Shaw, B.A. 

 (Cantab.), D.Sc, Macdonald College, McGill Uni- 

 versity. Presented by Professor H. T. Barnes, 

 F.R.S., F.R.S.C. 



The important question of industrial research 

 introduced by the president, was very thoroughly 

 discussed at two sessions of the Section and vari- 

 ous opinions as to the best methods of procedure 

 were advanced. The following resolution which 

 was adopted represents the final conclusion arrived 

 at by the members of Section III.: 



"Whereas, it is important that the scientific 

 forces of Canada should be organized to aid in the 

 vigorous and efficient prosecution of the war and 

 in the development of Canadian industries to meet 

 the present conditions as well as those which may 

 prevail after the war, 



"Resolved that the Royal Society of Canada re- 

 spectfully suggests to the government the ap- 

 pointment of a committee or commission of scien- 

 tific men whose duty it shall be to advise the gov- 

 ernment how best to utilize the men and labora- 

 tories available for such purposes. ' ' 



The commemoration of the 50th Anniversary 

 of Confederation was decided to be marked, at 

 the meeting of 1917, by historical papers deal- 

 ing with the progress of the various divisions of 

 mathematical and physical sciences. The officers 

 of the Section were asked to select the members 

 who would prepare such papers. 



The election of officers for Section III. resulted 

 in the choice of the following: 



President — R. F. Ruttan, M.D., CM., D.Sc. 



Vice-president — A. S. Eve, D.Sc. 



Secretary— -F. T. Shutt, M.A., D.Sc. 



Progress was reported on the 72-inch reflecting 

 telescope now approaching the final stages of erec- 

 tion and adjusting at the Dominion Observatory at 

 Ottawa, Canada. 



SECTION IV. (GEOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES) 



This section reports five sessions under the chair- 

 manship of Mr. J. B. Tyrrell, M.A., F.G.S. 



Twenty-nine fellows were in attendance as fol- 

 lows: Messrs. Adams, Bailey, Bethune, Brodie, 

 Buller, Coleman, Dowling, Dresser, Faribault, Faull, 

 Grant, Harrison, Hewitt, Huard, Lambe, Macallum, 

 Mackay, McConnell, Mclnnes, McMurrich, Mat- 

 thew, Moore, Parks, Prince, Tyrrell, White, 

 Harris, Hunter and Lloyd. Four absent Fellows 

 are on active service: Dr. Adami, Dr. Harrison, 

 Dr. MacKenzie and Dr. Nicholls. 



To the membership were added the names of 

 Professors Harris, Hunter, Lloyd and Fraser. 



The following officers were chosen for the year 

 1916-17: 



President — J. P. McMurrich, F.R.S.C. 



Vice-president — R. G. McConnell, F.G.S. 



Secretary — J. J. Mackenzie, F.R.S.C. 



Acting-Secretary — J. H. Faull, F.R.S.C. 



Publication Committee — Dr. Hewitt, Mr. Dow- 

 ling and Dr. Harrison. 



List of Papers Presented in Section IV 



Twenty-one papers, a list of which is appended, 

 including a presidential address of much interest 

 on "Notes on the Geology of the Nelson and 

 Hayes River, Manitoba," were presented to the 

 Section, contributions in the gross that represented 

 a large amount of important and stimulating work. 



Presidential Address — "Notes on the Geology 

 of the Nelson and Hayes River, Manitoba," by J. 

 B. Tyrrell, F.R.S.C 



"Notes on the Plankton of the British Colum- 

 bia Coast," by J. Playfair McMurrich, F.R.S.C. 



"On a New Anthomedusan from the Coast of 

 British Columbia," by H. B. Bigelow. Presented 

 by Professor McMurrich, F.R.S.C. 



"The Quantitative Study of Climatic Factors 

 in Relation to Plant Life, " by J. Adams, M.A. 

 Presented by C. Gordon Hewitt, D.Sc, F.R.S.C. 



"Geologic Range of the Phyla, Classes, Sub- 

 classes and Orders of the Plant and Animal King- 

 doms, ' ' by Lancaster D. Burling. Geological Sur- 

 vey, Canada. Presented by Lawrence M. Lambe, 

 F.R.S.C 



"Ganoid Fishes from near Banff," by Law- 

 rence M. Lambe, F.R.S.C, F.G.S.A., vertebrate 

 paleontologist to the Geological Survey, Canada. 



"Achondroplasia, a Problem in Development," 

 by Albert G. Nicholls, M.A., M.D., Se.D. 



