S38 Canadian Record of Science. 



Following closely upon the award of the Bigsby medal, 

 McGill University, through the initiative of its Graduates 

 Society, has added one more to the list of honorary degrees 

 worthily bestowed, by conferring upon Dr. G. M. Dawson, 

 at its last convocation, the degree of Doctor of Laws. 



We have just received from Mr. F. J. Hanbury a portrait 

 sketch, reprinted from the Journal of Botany for December, 

 1890, of the late James Backhouse. Mr. Backhouse was 

 chiefly known for his monograph on the British Hieracia, 

 though his explorations in various parts of Great Britain 

 and his close and accurate knowledge of the British flora, 

 gave him great pre-eminence, especially in connection with 

 the work instituted by his father, James Backhouse, sr. Mr. 

 Backhouse died at West Bank, York, England, on the 31st 

 August, 1890. 



An interesting little pamphlet has recently been placed 

 in our hands by Mr. Henry Mott. It is the " Objects and 

 Constitution of the Botanical Society of Montreal." This 

 Society was organized March 28th, 1855, under the direct 

 inspiration of Dr. James Baimston. Its officers for the year 

 1856, embraced such names as those of Sir Wm. Dawson, 

 Dr. T. S terry Hunt, J. G. Barnston, Dr. James Barnston and 

 Eev. Alex. F. Kemp. The Society was short lived, and it 

 is a matter of regret that it could not have been perpetuated. 



The local committee have just issued a little pamphlet 

 in connection with the forthcoming meeting of the Eoyal 

 Society of Canada, which contains much useful and interest- 

 ing ioformation. The larger part of the publication is de- 

 voted to the Eoyal Society itself, its organization and work 

 up to the present time. There are also articles dealing 

 with the Zoology and Botany of the immediate vicinity, as 

 well as information more directly applicable to the imme- 

 diate requirements of visitors during their sojourn in the 

 city. 



