BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA. 
11 
first institutions formed in Canada for the advancement of botanical science. The 
Electoral Division Society for promoting horticulture, agriculture, &c., and the City 
of Kingston Horticultural Society, which this year united to render their exhi- 
bitions more complete, would doubtless come frankly forward to aid a society whose 
objects are in a great measure identical with their own. These two societies col- 
lected in the locality in 1860, with the addition of a Government grant for the fur- 
therance of the objects, a sum of nearly $1500. One half this amount would be 
sufficient, on the simple and economical plan of Sir Joseph Paxton, for the construc- 
tion of a glass house 100 feet long with 12 feet lights. I quote these figures to show 
that the object is not unattainable if there is a desire to accomplish it. The pro- 
posed Botanical Society would materially strengthen itself by opening communica- 
tion and exchanging courtesies with older societies in other parts of the world. 
Contributions to the garden might be procured from London and Paris, Edinburgh, 
Glasgow, and other places. Such men as Professor Lindley, Sir W. J. Hooker, Dr. 
Balfour, and others connected with Botanical Societies and Gardens, should be in- 
vited to take an interest by being nominated Associates of the Society. * * * 
After all, however, the success of the proposed Botanical Society must depend upon 
the intelligence, earnestness, and activity of its members. Botany is a scien.ce that 
may be taught in a popular as well as scientific form, to the young as well as to the 
old, and to one sex as well as to the other. The botanical garden has charms which 
can be appreciated by all. The country around is rich in specimens of interest to 
the botanizing student, and the formation and labors of the Society may alike tend 
to develope latent talent, improve our knowledge of the North American Flora, and 
extend the area of scientific knowledge and research. 
The Rev. Principal Leitch reviewed the leading points brought forward in 
the addresses, and referred briefly to some of the more important advantages that 
might accrue to the country from an institution such as the one that had been propo- 
sed, alluding especially to the inducements which it would give to botanical re- 
search. Dr. Lawson, he said, when enumerating the grounds for the establishment 
of a Botanical Society, omitted the weightiest of all, viz., that we can count upon 
his services. Without his large and valuable experience in the management of such 
societies, 1 fear we would have little heart to carry out the scheme. He for a long* 
period acted as the Secretary of the Edinburgh Botanical Society — one of the most 
active in the world ; and from his accurate knowledge of the details of manage- 
ment, and his well merited distinction in botanical science, he is qualified in no or- 
dinary measure for organizing such a society as the one we contemplate. The labor 
will fall chiefly upon his shoulders, but we must pledge ourselves to lend him every 
assistance in our power. He concluded by moving the following resolution, viz : 
THAT THIS MEETING RESOLVE TO FORM A BoTAOTCAL SoCIETT. The motioU WaS SCCOnd- 
