﻿;^32 (Janadian Mecord of Science 



Four maps were completed during the year 1896, and eleven are 

 expected to be finished in the present year. The Director makes 

 a strong appeal for provincial aid to the Geological Survey in the 

 preparation of topographical maps. 



The number of visitors to the Museum for the year 1896 was 81,595, 

 as compared with 26,785 in the previous year, a fact which, in itself, 

 speaks very sti'ongly of the interest felt by the public in this 

 department. 



This interest, which is rapidly increasing, must soon become 

 too strong to allow the Geological Survey to remain longer in its 

 present insufficient quarters. 



The work of the Survey is a great one, whether we consider the 

 actual amount of work done, its value to the country from an economic 

 standpoint or as a contribution to science. Nor should it l)e 

 appreciated less highly from the fact that all this work, much of it 

 re(piiring technical skill of a high order, costs the country scarcely one 

 hundred thousand dollars a year. 



And when it is remembered, too, that this work is performed under 

 very disadvantageous circumstances, and that the vast collections in 

 the Museum and the records of half a century of work of inestimable 

 importance to the country are in great and constant danger of 

 destruction by tire, the need of better accommodation is strongly felt. 

 It is, indeed, a poor reward to such an admirably conducted depart- 

 ment, and betokens little regard for the important work which 

 it performs and the public interests it subserves, that the Geological 

 Survey has not been provided with a fire-proof Museum and offices and 

 laboratories equipped according to modern requirements and to the 

 needs of the country. 



John A. Dresser. 

 St. Francis College, 



Richmond, P.Q. 



