PROCEEDINGS. / 



whether introduced or indigenous, or whether the same as those of Nova Scotia, I 

 cannot say. At all events they are not numerous. 



" I also find that snails, similar to the common English snail, exist in certain 

 localities. ' ' 



Ordinary Meeting, May 1, 1865. 



The President read a paper — " On the Reptiles of Nova Scotia" — 

 illustrated by preserved specimens. {See Transactions.) 



In the conversation that ensued, a doubt having been expressed with 

 reference to the young of snakes passing for safety into the moutli of the 

 mother, which had been stated of the Coluber sirtalis, a gentleman present 

 (Mr. Nash) said that he had been a witness of the fact on more than one 

 occasion, in the vicinity of Truro. He could not ascertain whether it was 

 owing to inducement on the part of the parent, or instinct on that of the 

 young. Nor had he ever seen the young snakes return from such a place of 

 concealment or safety. [This statement by a- gentleman of unquestionable 

 veracity, may help to resolve the doubts of naturalists on the subject.] 



The Secretary read a paper sent by Professor How, of King's College, 

 Windsor, entitled — " Notes on the Economic Mineralogy of Nova Scotia." 

 It treats upon the Ores of Manganese and their uses. [See Transactions.) 



An interesting conversation succeeded the reading of this paper. Mr. 

 Nash, who is interested in the Teny Cape Manganese Mines, in Hants 

 County, assented to the general correctness of the details which had been 

 read, relative to that enterprise. He mentioned the occurrence of Manga- 

 nese at other places, — at Wellington Mountain, Cape Breton, — also, at 

 Falmouth, Hants County. He had been informed by Dr. Johnson that it 

 occurred on or near to his land in Pictou. Mr. Nash stated that some hun- 

 dreds of tons had been sold in Liverpool, England; and some also in Boston, 

 where it is used for a particular purpose. The working had so far paid very 

 ■well. He had in his possession Bog Manganese from Antigonishe, and some 

 had been sent to him from Ship Harbour. He was firmly persuaded that the 

 best Manganese the world could produce, was to be found in Nova Scotia. 



The President made some appropriate observations upon the progress 

 of tbe Institute, and its prospects for the future, and closed the ordinary 

 meetings for the season. Pie also announced that a Field Meeting of the 

 Institute would take place in each of the Summer and Autumn months until 

 October next, when the Ordinary Meetings would be again resumed. 



■ WILLIAM GOSSIP, 



Secretary. 



