484 
BULLETIN OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 
on January 29, 1862, at which it was resolved to form a scientific 
association under the name which we now bear. Two specific declara- 
tions were made, viz.: that “one of the efforts of the society shall be 
to form a collection of books of a scientific character for the use of the 
members,” and another, that it shall be a special aim to make “ such a 
•collection of specimens in the different branches of scientific research 
as shall fully illustrate the natural history of this province, and, as far 
as possible, that of other countries.” That was our beginning, and 
the field of work laid out has been amply tilled and cultivated, and 
we have developed investigations whose fame has gone out far beyond 
the limits of our city and province, and of whose work as original 
discoverers we are justifiably proud. 
The forty years that have elapsed have been years of marvellous 
progress in the scientific world. Of course it cannot be claimed that 
what has taken place in the forty years is the product alone of the 
period, for there are antecedent causes and the work was well under 
way with the commencement of the nineteenth century. But the 
practical application of science to utilitarian purposes has, in the words 
of Huxley, created a New Nature, begotten by science, and has worked 
-miracles which have modified the whole fashion of our lives. Natur- 
ally and easily we may draw a mental distinction between those who 
investigate and endeavor to interpret the voices of nature, who pursue 
their work with untiring energy, and who are thrilled with joy as they 
extract from her some of her closely kept secrets ; and those who merely 
make application of the knovvledge thus acquired by others to the uses 
and needs of man. The first are nearer and dearer to us and we can 
share their joyous thrills at every discovery they make, not only for 
their own sake but because they make possible the labors of those who 
would apply their work to man’s advantage. 
The philosopher and student to whom I have just referred expressed 
the opinion that our epoch has produced three great things in physical 
science : one of these is that doctrine of the constitution of master 
which is spoken of as molecular, the second is the doctrine of the con- 
servation of energy, the third the doctrine of evolution. 
No doubt Mr. Alfred Russell Wallace is correct in his assertion 
that in popular estimation and perhaps in real usefulness the establish- 
ment of the general theory of evolution, by means of the special theory 
•of the development of the or’ganic world, through the struggle for 
