184 Canadian Record of Science. 



slenderly peopled. It was well therefore that Mr. Mason 

 directed our attention to this subject, and especially to the 

 circular issued by the American Ornithologist's Union, with 

 whose action in the matter we can' cordially sympathize. 



It is proper to add that much important matter has been 

 published in the Record which has not been read, except by 

 title, at our monthly meetings ; but the subjects 1 have 

 already treated of are sufficient to show that we have not 

 been altogether idle. There is, however, still vast scope for 

 our exertions, and a great many fields to be cultivated in 

 which our younger members more particularly might bene- 

 fit our country and distinguish themselves. In relation to 

 this they should bear in mind that we do not exact lengthy 

 and profound papers. Any notes, however short, relating 

 to new facts in natural history or useful application of those 

 already known, will be acceptable to the Society, since it 

 often happens that important discoveries are overlooked and 

 irretrievably lost to science, because no attention has been 

 paid to the matter of bringing them under the notice of 

 those who can appreciate their value. Our monthly meet- 

 ings also are of much greater interest than one would infer 

 from the moderate number of members usually present. "We 

 have in most of these meetings several subjects under dis- 

 cussion, some of them illustrated by specimens, and it not 

 unfrequently happens that lively and interesting discussions 

 follow the reading of our papers. Nor is the benefit of our 

 •egular meetings confined to members, since our rules allow 

 members to introduce their friends, whether ladies or gentle- 

 men, and we shall welcome any who think it proper to 

 favour us with their presence at these meetings. 



It has been suggested, and I hope this suggestion will 

 receive the attention of the council, that next winter we 

 should resume the practice of inviting our fellow-citizens to 

 a conversazione in our rooms. These meetings have in 

 former years been very attractive, and may, I think, be 

 renewed with advantage to the Society and to the interests 

 of science. They constitute a legitimate means of attract- 

 ing to scientific pursuits, and more especially of imbuing 

 the young with a taste for the study of nature, while they 



