ANNALS OF THE 
BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA. 
OHIGIN OF THE SOCIETY. 
Towards "tlie latter end of November, 1860, a proposal was niade to organize a 
Botanical Society. There being no such Institution in operation in Canada, it was 
thought that much benefit might result from its establishment. Accordingly an 
advertisement was inserted in the Newspapers, requesting the attendance of all 
persons favorable to the proposal at a Meeting to be held in the Chemistry Class 
Room, in the University of Queen's College, on Friday Evening, 7th Dec, 1860. 
In order to explain more fully the object of the Meeting, the following statement 
was inserted in the Newspapers, simultaneously with the advertisement referred 
to :— 
Her natural resources have enabled 'Canada to take a conspicuous place among 
the British Colonies as a cultivator of natural science and useful art. Our Colony 
is as yet far behind in the race in regard to one department of useful knowledge, 
that which relates to her indigenous vegetable productions. In Britain, Botany is 
a universal pursuit. Some persons follow it merely as a favorite amusement, which 
affords the most healthful combination of physi<3al and mental exercise, — a stream of 
thought that may be most pleasantly followed, through the meadows and woods, in 
the rosy time of the year ; others pursue it as a scientific study, which unfolds the 
mysteries of life, as they are displayed in the varied phenomena of growth and re- 
production ; while a large number are engrossed with it as a science, whose rela- 
tions to the useful and ornamental arts enable man to render tributary to these the 
products and forces of nature. In countries like Canada, whose inhabitants are 
wholly occupied in industrial production and trade, Botany is not ajJt to be pur- 
sued for its own sake. As a scientific pursuit, it is chiefly inviting to persons of 
leisure and taste. But its relations to industry are so important that no civilized 
land can allow it to fall into neglect without suffering thereby in its material in- 
terests. In England, and France, and Belgium, and Prussia, it will not be believed 
that a great agricultural and timber-producing country, like Canada (young as it 
is), is pushing on its industry in ignorance of the very science by which that in- 
VOL. I. 
