PROCEEDINGS XXIX 



belonging to the Institute was handed over to the Provincial 

 Museum by the trustees which action finally closed the history 

 of the society. 



In 1859 the Nova Scotia Literary and Scientific Society 

 was in evidence; but due, apparently, to conflicting interests 

 the scientific men shortly afterwards proposed the formation of a 

 separate organization. They held several preliminary meetings 

 and, after a roster of prospective members had been made out, 

 on the 3 1 Dec, 1862, in the hall of the Medical Society at Halifax, 

 there was organized che Nova Scotian Institute of Natural 

 Science. There were twenty-four charter members. Bylaws 

 were passed and adopted, meetings being scheduled for the 

 first Alonday of every month during the session. The first 

 ordinary meeting "was held at Dalhousie College, 19th, Jan., 

 1863. Dr. J. B. Gilpin had the honor of reading the first paper 

 on "The Common Herring of Nova Scotia," which was follow- 

 ed by one from Capt. Hardy, R. A., on the "Nocturnal Life 

 of Animals in the Forest." At the February meeting the 

 patron, the Earl of Mulgrave, was present and spoke at length. 



In April 1864, the place of meeting was changed to the 

 Province Building Institute Room. This was used until May 

 1871, after which for sixteen years meetings were held in the 

 Provincial Museum and thereafter in the Legislature Council 

 Chamber and Assembly Room. Later a shift v/as made in 

 1909 to the Technical College and finally another back again 

 to Dalhousie College. 



During its early years the Institute held nine field-days; 

 but owing to lack of interest these were discontinued. 



The first volume of the Transactions representing four 

 years of work was published in 1867. The earlier volumes were 

 edited by the Secretary and President \Vm. Gossip; 



from 1887-89— by Dr. Honeyman; 



irom 189-1901— by Dr. MacGregor; 



from 1901-1908— by Mr. Harry Piers; 



from 1908 — for several years — by Dr. Creighton and 



