12 



possession of the Society. The whole series of publications 

 of the Geological Survey of Canada are here, even the un- 

 common 1853 report. The valuable eight-volume set of New 

 York geology, on which the Canadian geological nomenclature 

 is largely based, and the geological reports of Ohio and other 

 states are readily accessible. Bailey's Cyclopaedia (4 volumes) 

 of Horticulture, and thirteen volumes of Ontario's Agriculture 

 represent recent scientific work, while a number of volumes of 

 philosophical transactions (1732-44), marked with the famous 

 name of Peter Fidler, give us a taste of science a century and 

 three-quarters ago. 



THE PROSPECT FOR REFERENCE. 



At present the library is available for reference, under the 

 arrangement with the City, to the whole body of citizens. It 

 is consulted for many things. The totally insufficient accom- 

 modation has resulted from the constant encroachment of the 

 city offices. There is no possibility in its present quarters of 

 the library being fully utilized. 



It is hoped that the new Carnegie library will give relief 

 and afford room and scope. It is also to be hoped that the City 

 will arrange with the Historical Society for taking over this 

 valuable library. Rare books of reference are scarce even now 

 in London and Paris, and have trebled in value in the last 

 fifteen years. To begin anew to collect the treasures now in 

 possession would be a tedious and expensive task. The ac- 

 cumulations of the twenty-five years are as follows : 



Historical Society 6,000 volumes 



Sets of Exchanges 2,000 volumes 



City library — bound books 7,000 volumes 



Pamphlets, magazines, etc 4,000 volumes 



Total 19,000 volumes 



This will be a basis by no means insignificant with which 

 to begin the Carnegie library. 



