KEPOKTS Ixix 



This result was confirmed by a second method. Everyone is 

 prol)ably acquainted with the little instrument devised by Sir 

 'William Crookes in which a speck of radium set up in front of a 

 screen of phosporescent zinc sulphite under a microscope slide is 

 seen witli a lens to produce upon the screen innumerable flashes 

 of light. These scintillations can only be due to the a particles 

 emitted by the radium. Rutherford modified this arrangement 

 until the scintillations produced were no more numerous than 

 could be c-ounted, and thus not only had a second demonstration 

 of the existence of atoms but obtained data based on actual 

 counting from which could readily be calculated the number of 

 molecules in a cubic centimeter of gas. Henceforth, therefore, we 

 may feel that the atomic theory, unlike the systems that have 

 Hieir day pnd cease to be, is to abide with us as a permanent utliity. 



Tlie Treasurer, M. Bowmax, presented his annual report, 

 showing that the receipts for the year ending Xovember, 1909, 

 were $881.92, the expenditures $626:73, and the balance in 

 current account $255.19 ; while the permanent endowment fund 

 is $834.79, and the reserve fund $18.87. The report, having been 

 audited, was received and adopted. 



The Librarian's report was presented by H. Piers, showing 

 that 1,697 books and pamphlets had been received by the Insti- 

 tute through its exchange-list during the year 1908; and 1189 

 liad been received during the first nine months of the present 

 year (1909), viz., January to September inclusive. The total 

 number of books and pamphlets received by the Provincial Science 

 Library (with which those of the Institute are incorporated) dur- 

 ing the year 1908, was 3,761. The number of books borrowed 

 w?as 381, besides the many that were consulted in the library. Xo 

 binding has been done for some years owing to lack of funds. 

 Arrangements have been made to move the Provincial Scienc 

 Library from Xo'. 201 Hollis street to the new Technical College, 

 on Spring Garden road, where it will be placed in a stack-room, 

 48 by 41 feet, with a small adjoining reading-room, on the second 

 floor of the building. — The report was received and adopted. 



The subject of binding volumes in the Institute's library wa? 

 referred to the incoming council. 



On motion of Dr. A. H, MacKay and H. Piers the following 

 resolution was unanimously adopted: 



