222 NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 



creatures, instead of reducing our forests and orchards to naked- 

 ness, might not be employed in clothing the daughters of Canada 

 with fabrics equal to those of China and India, and in adding 

 silk to our articles of export. In effecting this result, the natu- 

 ralists must, in the first instance at least, take the lead. 



An important part of the work of this society is that of popu- 

 larizing natural science, in such a way that its results may be 

 extensively known, and that new votaries may be attracted to its 

 study. This end we seek to attain by our popular course of 

 Somerville lectures, free to the public, and by throwing our 

 museum open on easy terms. I should especially mention in this 

 connection, the engagement of our scientific Curator, Mr. Whit- 

 eaves, under whose care large portions of our collections are 

 being arranged in such a manner as to give education in natural 

 history to any ordinary observer, and to aid the labours of the 

 scientific student. 



We are also reminded, in glancing at the proceedings of the 

 past year, that we do not now labour alone. On one side, the 

 Canadian Institute of Toronto, and on the other the Literary and 

 Historical Society of Quebec are pursuing similar paths. The 

 young but vigorous Botanical Society of Canada, established at 

 Kingston, has availed itself of our journal for the publication of 

 some of its papers and proceedings. The Natural History Society 

 of New Brunswick has in like manner contributed some important 

 memoirs for publication. The Literary and Scientific Society of 

 Nova Scotia has sent us its constitution and regulations. Our 

 proceedings have been enriched by valuable contributions from 

 Rupert's Land, and there is now a natural history society in that 

 region. Mr. Bethune has given us a catalogue of Canadian ento- 

 mologists, and this has been followed by the organization in To- 

 ronto of an Entomological society. We have also to express our 

 thanks to many individual contributors and correspondents in 

 various parts of British America, and to many scientific institutions 

 and associations abroad, which have in various ways recognized 

 our humble labors. More especially in this regard should we state 

 our obligations to the Smithsonian Institution of Washington for 

 its frequent kindly offices. The society has further to congratulate 

 itself that its relations with its two nearest neighbors — the Geo- 

 logical Survey of Canada and the McGrill University — are at once 

 intimate and mutually advantageous. The officers of the survey 

 are among our most valued members, while through us they are 



