PROCEEDINGS XXXI 



1890 of the word Natural from the title of the organization. 

 Many papers in physics and chemistry were thus admitted 

 although the change met with considerable opposition. The 

 Institute was incorporated the same year. 



In 1901 Dr. MacGregor accepted the chair of Natural 

 Philosophy in Edinburgh University, the Institute uniting with 

 others in extending a farewell dinner to the man who had done 

 so much for the organization. He died in 1913. 



The later years of the Institute have been uneventful. 



Interest in science on the whole has been maintained and 

 valuable work put on record. A concerted effort has been made 

 during the past five years to create a wider public interest in 

 science through the medium of free popular lectures during 

 each session. 



The results are very promising. From the research stand- 

 point our output is disappointing. MacGregor thought an 

 average of twelve papers a year far too small. At present 

 we do not begin to approach that number. The Institute 

 should give this matter serious consideration. Many papers 

 of interest are being published elsewhere which should un- 

 doubtedly be first presented before this Institute. 



Now a word or two about our library. It began in 1864 

 with one book. Additions thereafter were rapid so that event- 

 ually it reached such proportions that the Institute could no 

 longer comfortably handle it. In 1899 by letter to the Pro- 

 vincial Secretary, the Institute stated its willingness to in- 

 trust its library to the custody of the Government (the right 

 of property remaining with, the society) on condition that it 

 should be made the nucleus of a public libraiy to be maintained 

 by the Government in connection with the Provincial Museum, 

 and to be open to all who may wish to use it under such re- 

 strictions only as might be necessary for the safe keeping of the 

 books, and also that the Government appoint a competent 

 ibrarian to take the library in charge. The Government saw 

 the wisdom of this step and in the summer of 1900 it became' 



