238 Natural Histm'y Society. 



Your Council also report that Mr. Billings, late of Ottawa, a 

 Corresponding Member of tlie Society, having come to reside 

 permanently in Montreal, has expressed a wish that the Society 

 should take a part in the publication of " The Canadian Natural- 

 ist and Geologist," so successfully conducted by him during the 

 past year. This offer was favorably received by the Society, and 

 a Committee was formed to carry out this object and to open a 

 subscription list for the issue of the second volume under the title 

 of the "Canadian Naturalist and Geologist, and Transactions of 

 the Natural History Society of Montreal." Another Committee 

 was appointed to superintend its publication, of which Mr. Bil- 

 lings himself undertakes a part. Your Council are happy to say 

 a first number has been printed under very auspicious oircumstn- 

 ces, and they tru^t that this undertaking will meet with complete 

 success. 



Your Council have not considered it prudent at present to soli- 

 cit from the Legislature a Copy Right Law, to compel publishers 

 to contribute a copy of every publication to the several Literary 

 and Scientific Institutions of the Province. The law as regards 

 copyright is yet in an undecided and unsettled state, and they re- 

 commend that the matter receive the consideration of their suc- 

 cessois. 



The Council are sorry to announce that Mr. Broome, so long 

 the Janitor of the Society, died after a brief illness a few months 

 ago, and they have from various considerations deemed it proper 

 for the present, to continue the services of his widow, as keeper of 

 the premises, which they trust will meet with the approval of 

 the Society. 



The accompanying Reports of the Treasurer, Librarian and 

 Cabinet Keepei-, will present an account of the condition and pros- 

 pects of the Finances, the Library, and the Museum. 



In view of the meeting of the American Association in August, 

 and of the necessity of arranging and presenting the subjects of 

 the Museum in the best and most scientific order, the Council 

 have engaged the services of J. M. D'Urban Esq., a young Natur- 

 alist of considerable attainments and ability, for six months as As- 

 sistant Curator. As however the collection cannot be rendered 

 complete or properly arranged without considerable expense, wdiich 

 the present ordinary income of the Society will not sufficiently 

 afford, it has been resolved to meet the additional expenditure by 

 applying to this purpose any special fimds that may be obtained. 



