202 Canadian Record of Science. 



over which, he presided. The performance of this duty can. 

 not, therefore, he easily avoided by one who has been hon- 

 ored by his fellow members, in being called upon to preside 

 over the deliberations of this Association ; nor can it be 

 lightly disposed of, when one realizes the importance of the 

 occasion, and recalls the long list of his distinguished prede- 

 cessors, each of whom in his turn has brought to this hour 

 at least a small measure of the work of a lifetime devoted 

 to the interests of science. 



The occasion is one that offers an opportunity and imposes 

 an obligation. The opportunity is in many ways unique 

 and the obligation is correspondingly great. In the delivery 

 of this address, the retiring president usually finds himself 

 in the presence of a goodly number of intelligent people, 

 representatives of the general public, who, knowing some- 

 thing of the results of scientific investigation, have little 

 idea of its methods, and whose interest in our proceedings, 

 while entirely cordial and friendly, is often born of curios- 

 ity rather than a full appreciation of their value and impor- 

 tance. Mingled with them are the Members and Fellows of 

 the Association, who have come to the annual gathering 

 laden with the products of many fields, which they have in- 

 dustriously cultivated during the year; each ready to submit 

 his contribution to the inspection and criticism of his com- 

 rades, and all hoping to add in some degree to the sum total 

 of human knowledge. 



The united presence of these two classes, intensifies the 

 interest which naturally attaches to an occasion like this, 

 and not unnaturally suggests, that a brief consideration of 

 the relations which do exist and which should exist between 

 them, may afford a profitable occupation for us this evening. 



In the beginning it may be truthfully affirmed, that no 

 other single agency has done as much to establish these re- 

 lations on a proper basis, as the American Association for 

 the Advancement of Science. In the first article of its con- 

 stitution the objects of the Association are defined as follows: 

 — "by periodical and migratory meetings, to promote inter- 

 course between those who are cultivating science in different 



