228 NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 



the knowledge of natural science, your Council granted the use of 

 their rooms to Mr. Denton during the month of October for the 

 delivery of a course of five lectures on geology, being desirous 

 more particularly that the younger and non-scientific portion of 

 the community should benefit by them, and devote more atten- 

 tion to such subjects than they have been accustomed to give. 

 Among other proceedings of the year, your Council would further 

 report that a committee was appointed to prepare for a field day 

 under the direction of the Society, but that it was found necessary 

 to postpone it for a future occasion ; 'that the services of an assistant 

 secretary have been dispensed with ; that the building afid portico 

 have been repainted, and the sign which has been placed thereon, 

 has had the effect of increasing the number of visitors ; that the 

 Society's amended act has been printed, and that the election o . 

 additional members of Council under its provisions has been found 

 to promote the efficiency of its operations ; that correspondence 

 has been opened with kindred societies occupying a very high 

 place in European estimation, among them the " Societe d'His- 

 toire Naturelle et de Physique " of Geneva ; and that these socie- 

 ties have come to look upon the organ of the N. H. Society, " the 

 Canadian Naturalist," as one of the most valuable exponents of the 

 scientific progress of this continent. The sympathy of societies 

 and individuals with the aims of the Natural History Society of 

 Montreal, has been shown by many generous donations both of 

 books and specimens ; but your Council would offer as a sugges- 

 tion that many desirable objects, the products of foreign countries, 

 might be obtained by enlisting in behalf of the Society the assist- 

 ance of the masters of the various vessels trading to this port, 

 who have so many opportunities of procuring valuable specimens, 

 and who have so extensively benefitted the various collections in 

 the United States. The senior members of the Society will grate- 

 fully remember the liberal and numerous contributions of their 

 zealous friend Captain Stoddard, whilom of the ship "Thames." 



Your Council would especially record its gratification at the 

 very efficient manner in which Mr. Wm. Hunter has discharged 

 the duties of his office, combined as it has been with an obliging 

 demeanor on all occasions. 



A committee, appointed by the Council of the Natural His- 

 tory Society, at their meeting of the 23rd inst., to consider what 

 disposition should be made of the medals of the Society, reported 

 that after due consideration they would recommend that at least 



