Proceedings of Natural History Society. ^71 



put on record also our sense of the geniality which has always 

 marked your intercourse with the members of the society, and of 

 the kindness and encouragement you have shown to young workers 

 in the domain of natural history. Then you have striven to foster 

 a taste for the study of nature in the community generally by your 

 numerous popular lectures on scientific subjects, while in the many 

 original papers which you have read before the society, and which 

 have gone to enrich the columns of its journals, you have pointed 

 out the way by which the student of special branches of science 

 may become expert. 



We recognize in you a foremost authority in the science of 

 geology, and rejoice in the appreciation of your scientific attain- 

 ments and achievements, evinced not less in your elevation by the 

 vote of brother scientists to the presidency successively of the 

 American Association for the Advancement of Science and of the 

 British Association for the same object, the highest position attain- 

 able by a man of science, than in your being enrolled by our be- 

 loved Sovereign Queen Victoria, in the distinguished order of 

 British knighthood. As members of the Natural History Society 

 of Montreal, we have felt as if we shared in the various well 

 deserved honors conferred upon you. We further congratulate you 

 upon the high position attained by the university of which you are 

 the eminent principal, among the educational institutions of the 

 world, and upon the growing evidence, afforded from time to time, 

 of the estimation in which it is held by prominent citizens who 

 have contributed to its endowment. Feeling that we were doing a 

 Service to future students of natural history who will wish to look 

 upon the features of one who had so much to do with laying its 

 foundations in Canada, we have resolved to hang in our hall this 

 portrait by Harris, subscribed for by members and friends of the 

 society, hoping that it may prove an inspiration to the generations 

 that shall come after us, to emulate the noble example which you 

 have set them. 



In reply, Sir William said ; — Hon. Mr. Murphy and 

 gentlemen, I need not say how much I appreciate the kind- 

 ness of the friends who have desired to give me in that 

 picture, a permanent place in the rooms of the society along 

 with those who have been its friends and ornaments in the 

 past, and to accompany this generous act with so kindly, 

 and I fear too complimentary, words to myself. I do not, 

 however, consider myself precisely one of the specimens of 

 the Natural History Society. I hope that the excellent 



