398 Canadian Record of Science,. 



to ask the municipal authorities to come to the Society's 

 rescue. The educational work done by the Society merits 

 such recognition. There is not a city or town in the 

 United States of any importance that has not its museum, 

 and the municipalities, as well as the state governments, 

 make liberal grants for the support of such institutions as 

 ours. Except the $4,000 left by Mr. Somerville to found 

 the lectures bearing his name, the Society has not re- 

 ceived any considerable legacy. 



"CHANCE FOR BENEFACTOR. 



" Here, then, is an opportunity for some large-minded 

 benefactor to do a good turn to Montreal. Let him settle 

 on the Natural History Society an annual income that 

 will enable it, not only to continue, but enlarge its opera- 

 tions. We would not even breathe a proposal to ask help 

 from the Pittsburg millionnaire ; it would be a dishonor 

 done to our wealthy and public-spirited citizens to even 

 hint at such a thing. But we hope they will come to our 

 help. The workers in this' Society give their time gratui- 

 tously, from their love of science, and their desire to see 

 the scientific spirit and scientific attainments more 

 general, and give also liberally of their limited means, 

 believing that they are doing as valuable work for the 

 masses as the great McGill University is doing for the 

 superior intellectual few. Now things have come to such 

 a pass that we cannot, with the means at our disposal, do 

 what is required to keep abreast with the needs of the 

 time. We are straitened for room for our valuable library, 

 and we have nowhere to exhibit the additions constantly 

 making to our museum. Our very efficient superintend- 

 ent is overwhelmed with work, and needs assistance in 

 the museum. The fact is he is seriously ill at present, 

 and probably this illness is traceable to over-exertion, and 

 what are we to do ? Well, I believe we have only to let 

 it be known that the continuance of the important work 



