ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 229 



of orthodoxy, or a doubt of usefulness or propriety, they have not 

 been published without a reason given for their becoming a part of 

 our Transactions. I mention this, because a periodical of this 

 city is said to have contained some depreciatory observations on a 

 paper of Mr. Devvar's, so published. Not having seen the critique, 

 I am unable to judge whether, as respects the article in question, it 

 was just or unjust ; but the writer, whoever he may be, if disposed 

 to find a reason for printing that paper, could not have failed to find 

 it in the book of Transactions itself; and we hope we may be 

 allowed to be the best judges of the most judicious mode of con- 

 ducting our own affairs. 



It would have given me much pleasure to state that we had 

 observed the prescribed number of Field Days during the past 

 summer. We have again fallen short of our rules in this particular. 

 At the formation of the Institute it was. supposed that ihose excur- 

 sions would be generally taken advantage of, as pleasing and popular 

 features of our proceedings. In no one year, however, since that 

 time, has there been found much enthusiasm in their behalf, or 

 willingness to engage in them. This may be attributed to the fact 

 that each member of the Institute considers his public or private busi- 

 ness of paramount interest, and the pursuit of science in this way 

 quite a secondary object. I often think it a pity that it should be 

 so at all times, and that we lose a large amount of knowledge and 

 of profitable recreation by not attending to those pleasant meetings. 

 I am glad however to record, that we have had one field excur- 

 sion during the past summer, attended by thirteen members. The 

 country explored lies between Wellington Station and the Grand 

 Lake. Some interesting facts were pointed out by Rev. Dr. 

 Honeyman, corroborative of the sequence of geological formations, 

 and of a long continued ice drift of the glacial period, from the 

 Cobequids. All present appeared highly delighted with the excur- 

 sion ; and on arriving at Oakfield, the estate of Colonel Laurie, 

 we were handsomely entertained by the hospitable Colonel and his 

 estimable lady. 



That the Nova Scotian Institute, cramped as are its means and! 

 resources, has done and is doing a good work in and for the Pro- 



7 »3 O 



