Presidential Address. 103 



it would be well if it could be open to the public daily free 

 of charge. It seems a pity that such a valuable collection 

 of nature's treasures should not be more used. The museum 

 is admirably located, and I hope that some means may be 

 devised by which it may become a school in which nature's 

 lessons may be effectively if silently taught. 



As you all know, for two years the existence of The 

 Eecord of Science, the Society's publication, with so long 

 and worthy a history as the chief medium for the publica- 

 tion of general natural science in the Dominion, has been 

 imperilled by the withdrawal of the Provincial Government 

 grant. We are not without hope that this well deserved grant 

 may be restored. But the Society, with an independence 

 and a f( rtitude which will command admiration and respect, 

 has resolved that this evidence of its life and progress shall 

 not cease to exist — scrant or no grant. 



We have many subjects of congratulation. One of our 

 most frequent contributors to The Eecord of Science — a 

 man who has done so much to make Canada known by his 

 long continued and valuable scientific researches, Mr. Gr. F. 

 Matthew, of St. John, N.B., has added to the success of 

 our monthly meetings by sending us a paper on a subject 

 and in a form suitable for one of our regular monthly 

 meetings. This action on his part has been greatly appre- 

 ciated on all hands and will, I trust, be imitated by others. 



It is a source of satisfaction to find that all or nearly all 

 the veteran members still retain their connection with 

 the Society and encourage younger men by their presence 

 and faithful attention to the duties assigned to them. 



Sir Wm. Dawson, for so many years the President of the 

 Society, and one of its warmest friends and supporters, 

 though incapacitated by feeble health from taking part in 

 those many duties and enterprises which have made him 

 so well-known and respected in this city and throughout 

 America, has still given the Society a goodly share of the 

 energy he has had at command. There are few things that 

 have more impressed me in connection with Sir William 

 Dawson than his close attendance at the meetings of this 



