212 BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA. 



science, as are laid before the society, from time to time, will afford 

 materials for the publication of " Transactions," whereby our stores may be 

 rendered available to the public in Canada, and to botanists in other parts 

 of the world. In addition to such means, the society may greatly promote 

 its objects by correspondence with botanists in other countries, and 

 especially with those who are located beside the extensive public herbaria, 

 botanical libraries, and gardens, in various parts of the United States and 

 Europe. By correspondence with such persons, many doubtful points in 

 nomenclature may be set at rest, while the existence of information relating 

 to Canadian botany may be ascertained that might otherwise remain 

 unknown. Botanists distinguished in certain branches of the science may 

 be jcalled upon to furnish reports on their special subjects, for which 

 materials may be brought together by the members. Such aid will be of 

 the greatest value to the society, and I have therefore gratification in 

 informing you that communications have already been received from some 

 of the most active botanists in the United States, England, Scotland, and 

 Prussia, promising cordial co-operation. So soon as prelimina^ operations 

 enable us to proceed to the discussion of scientific business, you will also 

 have an opportunity of ascertaining that we already have observers through- 

 out the length and breadth of Canada, as well as in the other North Ameri- 

 can provinces, from the Red River in the far west to the island of Prince 

 Edward in the east. In common with the botanists of other countries, we 

 must necessarily take cognisance of those discoveries in structural and 

 physiological botany which are daily challenging a careful examination. 

 But our position in a comparatively new country points out to us a special 

 path of research which it will be our duty to follow — that which has for its 

 object the investigation of the species botany of Canada, the geographical 

 and local distribution of the plants. The indigenous plants, whose pro- 

 ducts are now used or are capable of being applied to the useful arts, will 

 deserve a large share of attention, and no doubt regard will also be had to 

 those that are suited to our climate, but have not yet been introduced. 

 Strewed around our path in the woods and on the shores of our lakes are 

 many plants capable of yielding food and physic, dyeing and tanning 

 materials, oils, bres for spinning and paper-making, &c. Even in the 

 midst of the city "of Kingston, growing on vacant lots, and in court yards, 

 there are drug-plants enough to stock a Liverpool warehouse. Such will 

 no doubt be brought into use when better known, and thus an increase will 

 be effected in the production of the country. Two things are necessary for 

 the successful prosecution of such researches — a good botanical library and 

 a good herbarium. During the past year botanical works of great value 

 have been added to the library of Queen's College, and these, together with 

 others in private hands, Avhich will be accessible to members of the society, 

 embrace almost all the works that have a direct bearing on the Canadian 

 flora. There is thus laid in Kingston the basis of a botanical library, which 

 it will be the object of this society to foster, by additions obtained by 

 purchase or exchange with other scientific bodies, provided a suitable 



