BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA. 
ITS 
afford a sufficient guarantee that it will never degenerate into a mere inert local club. Its mission is one in which 
the whole botanical world is interested, and all the gentlemen who met together on the 7th December, 1860, at 
Kingston, in particular the members of the faculty of Queen's College, deserve the cordial thanks of their scientific 
brethren, both in the old world and in the new, for having so heartily laid their hands to the work of freeing Cana- 
dafrom the reproach of indifference to the claims of botanical science. Besides the interest which we naturally feel 
as botanists merely in the birth of a new society, ready to go hand in hand with us in the accomphshment of our 
common great end, for us as Germans the investigation of Canadian botany possessess the peculiar interest that 
one of our own countrymen, the gifted Frederick Pursh, first conceived and strove to execute the very plan now 
proposed by the Botanical Society at Kingston. After Pursh had travelled through the (then) United States, and 
had written on his return a Flora of North America, he set out once more for the new world, this time turning 
his steps towards Canada. Limited as were the means at his command, he explored a considerable part of Eastern 
Canada, and had almost completed his very valuable collection when the fruits of so many months of weary toil 
fell a prey to the devouring flames. Other misfortunes befel him, and on the 11th day of July, 1820, he died at 
Montreal, in the 40th year of his age, so poor that the charity of a few friends defrayed the expenses of his funeral. 
We may imagine his manes may have looked on with rejoicing when on the 7th December, 1860, forty years after 
his death, the exploration of Canada was undertaken once more, and the sequel promised to justify his most san- 
guine anticipations. 
The first meeting of the new society was held in Queen's College at Kingston. Dr. Leitch presided, and in. 
a genial speech set forth the object and the necessity of such an association. Universities, he thought, discharge 
only one half of their functions when they restrict themselves to merely communicating the existing sum of ac- 
quired knowledge. They should incite to, nay, should themselves institute, original investigations. Referring to 
the numerous attendance at this first meeting, he remarked the difference between the auspices under which this 
society was ushered into the world, and the circumstances attending the foundation of the great European learned 
societies, with what difficulty a handful of faithful disciples of science were brought together, and how from that 
handful, by dint of their steadfastness, were developed those institutions which were now the pride of the old 
world. After Dr. Leitch a somewhat longer address was delivered by Dr. Lawson, in whom we recognise an old 
acquaintance and former active member of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh. The science of botany, he re- 
marked, had been hitherto more neglected in Canada than in almost any other educated country. Up to the close 
of the 18th century but five Botanical Treatises had appeared throughout the length and breadth of the North 
American continent. Much improvement had since been made, but a Flora of Canada yet remained a desideratum. 
To collect materials for this end must be the chief function of this Society, and the report of the investigations in 
this Province will occupy a prominent position in the (to be) published ' Transactions.' Dr. Litchfield, whose talent 
for organization was of much use in the formation of the Botanical Society of London, next occupied the attention 
of the meeting. He dwelt particularly on the necessity of a Botanical Garden — set forth the advantages which 
would accrue to Canada from its institution, and directed attention to the means already at their disposal. Dr. 
Leitch then passed in review what had been brought before the meeting, and after paying Dr. Lawson a well-mer- 
ted compliment, moved, seconded by Dr. Williamson, ' That this meeting resolve to form a Botanical Pociety.' 
This motion having been unanimously agreed to. Prof. Mowat read the proposed laws, which, on motion of Dr. 
Dupuis, seconded by Dr. Yates, were received, with the reservation of the right of the Council to make any de- 
sired alterations. This having also been agreed to, the Botanical Society of Canada was declared to be constituted, , 
lind it was agreed that all official communications should be addressed to Prof Lawson, Kingston, Canada. Busi- 
ness over, the members repaired to a sort of Converzatione in the Laboratory, where were exhibited microscopic 
preparations, drawings and scientific works, among which the reporter of the Daily News observed Schnitzlein's 
Iconography, Hooker's Rhododendrons, Harvey's American Algse, Seemann's Herald Botany, Hooker's Flora of 
North America, and other illustrated works. 
.22, Canonbitbt Sqcare, London N.,, 
December 9, 1861. 
Dbar Sir : 
Dr. Schultz Bipontinus, an intimate friend of mine, and a great laborer in the field of Compositse, desires me 
to address a few fines to you, and through you to the Botanical Society of Canada. He is most anxious to get a 
set of Canadian Compositse fori his herbarium, and would be very glad if any member of your society would send 
