ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 227 



has become almost indispensable, inasmuch as it never has been 

 very easy, although our books show the large number of some 

 seventy members, to collect the full amount of subscriptions 

 Means will, however, be adopted whereby it may be hoped such 

 liabilities will be made more available for the support of the Insti- 

 tute. We may safely assert then, that our finances, if not flourish- 

 ing, are in a satisfactory state, and that in so far we can go on our 

 way rejoicing. 



We are the more encouraged in our work, which is entirely dis- 

 interested, by the estimation in which the Institute is held by sister 

 societies abroad. AVirh some of the most celebrated among them 

 we exchange our " Transactions," in which they evidently take a 

 special interest. From Australia, from Canada, from most of the 

 Scientific Associations of the United States ; from Denmark, from 

 Italy, from Germany, from Russia, from England and Scotland — 

 we l'eceive their publications. We also, occasionally, find in 

 scientific periodicals, favorable notice of the work of our Institute. 

 I may mention that we have published three bound volumes of our 

 Transactions, covering twelve years of our existence, and can refer 

 to them with some degree of pride, as the bcstAvorks on the various 

 sciences of Geology, Zoology, Botany, and Meteorology, &c, so 

 far as Nova Scotia is concerned, that have ever issued from the 

 Provincial press. And the fourth volume (making sixteen years 

 work) goes bravely on, and will appear in due course of time. 



That the small income of the Institute cramps its usefulness and! 

 prevents its expansion, must, I think, be evident to all. The 

 insufficiency is felt in various ways. We want a more convenient 

 place for our winter ordinary meetings, which cannot be had with- 

 out trenching upon funds required for other necessary purposes. 

 For our present accommodation we have been indebted principally 

 to the Local Government, and next, to the kindness of Dr. Honey- 

 man, our Honorary Secretary. Much as we desire to value the 

 privileges so enjoyed, it would still be better, I think, if we had a 

 convenient room we could call our own, in a central part of the- 

 city ; and I venture the hope that some practical suggestion, that, 

 carried out may accomplish the result, will be made. We shalli 



