240 Natural History Society. 



1 Cases British Lepidoptera, containing upwards ofi-^- „ ,, Tyry,. 



400 species, named and arranged. > ', 



" Pepper-pot" Bowl used by Natives of Demerara. ) 

 A valuable collection of Rocks and Minerals from the } p pi ++ l? 



volcanic regions of Italy $ ' ' ^' 



REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. 



The Special Committee appointed to report on the Finance 

 operations of the Society for the year ending 18th May, 1858 ; 

 beg to state that they have examined the Treasurer's Book and 

 vouchers, (a recapitulation of which will be found annexed), and 

 find that the general statement is much larger than usual, owing 

 to the government grant and disbursements on account of the 

 meeting of the American Association in this city in August of 

 last year. 



The amount received from subscribers during the past year is 

 somewhat larger than the previous one, but not near so much 

 as your Committee think ought to be obtained from our citizens, 

 if a right appreciation of the great benefits the Society does and 

 will confer was more generally felt, and they recommend renewed 

 exertions on the part of the Society to bring its claims before the 

 public, and especially do they desire to express their hope that 

 this Society will be placed on the same footing as regards Parlia- 

 mentary aid as its respected ''younger sister" in Toronto, which is 

 enabled to place its periodical in the hands of eveTy one of its 

 members in return for their subscription to the Society. If your 

 Society could obtain similar favor from the Government, and be 

 thus enabled to place its "bi-monthly Canadian Naturalist" in the 

 hands of each of its members, it is not too much to expect that 

 their number might readily be trebled, its efficiency very 

 largely increased, and the Society placed on a footing which 

 its antecedents and present prospects, justify your Committee in 

 predicting would be alike honorable to the city, and greatly con- 

 ducive to the promotion of the objects for which it was insituted. 



Your Committee would draw attention to the very large amount 

 paid for advertising and printing, and recommend rigid retrench- 

 ment in those items. 



Your Committee believe that with an increased revenue for 

 the coming year, arising from additional membership, as well as 

 an additional grant from Government, with greater economy in 

 advertising, &c, the fiscal affairs of your Society will continue to 

 improve, and cease to be a source of anxiety to your officers, and 

 permit them to avail themselves of purchases for its legitimate 

 objects, which they regret to learn have, id some cases, been im- 

 practicable for want of necessary funds. 



The whole nevertheless respectfully submitted. 



Wm. Edmonstone, 

 James Ferrier, Jr., 

 John Leeming. 



