26 of Natural History Society. 
there has been a steady growth, though of a kind not always 
obvious to the looker on. 
As I recall our position in years that are past, I see a time 
when a few members — not the less earnest because they were 
few — were struggling along, without a library worthy of the 
name, and with collections of objects for study, small in 
quantity, and so crowded together that you might touch them 
from the table where we gathered. 
Xow, as you may observe, the society has the use of a suite 
of rooms, and much better facilities in all its departments for 
carrying on its work. The library has been largely added to 
by the purchase of series of magazines necessary for the 
students in several departments of natural science, and quite 
lately we have added, by purchase from the Mechanics'’ Insti- 
tute, a number of scientific books of more general interest. 
There has also^ for several years past, been a steady influx 
of donations to the museum from friends of the society, so 
that the members now have within reach books to read and 
materials to examine and study of much greater value than 
those available to the first members of the society. 
I regret that of late there has been little opportunity for 
the members to pursue the study of natural history collect- 
ively in the field, and would suggest that the practice of 
holding field meetings should be revived. In such meetings, 
in some societies known to me, it is the practice to give prizes 
for collections made and named in the field — a practice which 
serves to give the younger members a greater interest in the 
proceedings. 
Though we have not met for combined effort and mutual 
instruction in this way for some time, I observe that several 
of the members are pursuing individual work which has re- 
ceived commendation abroad. Among such I may name Dr. 
L. W. Bailey, Prof. W. F. Ganong, and our recording secre- 
tary, Mr. W. J. Wilson. Mr. Wilson’s discovery of new types 
of insects and crustaceans in the plant beds of Lancaster is 
the subject of a paragraph in the proceedings of the Eoyal 
Society of Canada,* and is alluded to by Dr. S. H. Scuddeiv 
* See address of the President of Sec. IV., in 1889, p. 11. 
