Presidential Address. 99 



Myriapods, six species of several genera 6 



Arachnid, similar to Anthracoraartus , 1 



Probable Pedipalp (Eurypterella) 1 



Probable Arachnid or Isopod (Amphipeltis) 1 



Scorpion (Palrcophonus arctus) 1 



Two species of land snails also have been found, raising 

 the number to twenty or twenty-one kinds of air-breathing 

 animals found in the Plant Beds at St. Johns. 



Annual Presidential Address. 



NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, MONTREAL. 



By Prof. Wesley Mills, M.A., M.D., etc 



In accordance with the cuslom of my predecessors, I pre- 

 sent a brief retrospect of the year that has just closed, and 

 offer a few suggestions for your consideration. 



The Executive began its work with the duty before it of 

 carrying into effect a motion passed at the last annual 

 meeting which directed that we should ascertain the exact 

 standing and condition of our Society, and if possible de- 

 vise means for its improvement. To my own mind this was a 

 good indication — a sign of life and a progressive spirit — for 

 the society, like the individual, that is perfectly satisfied 

 with present attainments is apt to be in a stage of in- 

 cipient decline, if it has not already reached a condition of 

 advanced atrophy. 



The Special Committee appointed to investigate the sub- 

 ject, held many meetings, and with the assistance of sub- 

 committees finally devised a scheme which was presented 

 to a special meeting of the society, and unanimously adopted. 



The principal features of this plan of improvement were : 

 Affiliation with other local societies having kindred aims; 

 broadening the range of subjects to be brought under dis- 

 cussion ; making the themes presented somewhat more 

 popular in form ; and finally reporting them regularly and 

 adequately for the public press of the city. The first part 

 of the scheme has yet to be tried, but if the right spirit 



