^President’s Address. 
7 
bell, and many specimens of insects collected near St. John 
by Mr. Herbert Gould. 
In 1884- Mr. G. F. Matthew presented his herbarium of over 
2,000 species of foreign plants. 
The society has been incorporated, and has a proper seal 
to stamp our acts. It is evidently now firmly established. 
Our Bulletin is yearly issued, and reilects great credit upon 
the society. It is especially intended for contributions show- 
ing original research. 
At the request of the lioyal Society of Canada delegates 
have been yearly sent to represent this institution at their 
annual meetings. 
The Provincial Government now gives us an annual grant, 
and this enables us to extend our usefulness. 
During the summer vacation a class composed of the 
teachers in our public schools availed themselves of lectures 
given by members of this society. These lectures were the 
more instructive, as they were illustrated by the abundant 
material in our museum. It is proposed to extend this 
course in the future. 
During this winter a series of lectures upon different 
branches of Natural History was inaugurated, and will be 
delivered by members of the society. 
Such is a brief outline of the Natural History Society, em- 
bracing a period of twenty-five years. It has passed through 
the difficulties which generally attend the formation and 
growth of similar institutions, and we feel confident that it 
has entered upon a wider field of usefulness. 
It has not a numerous membership, and its field is 
limited, and yet there are some on our little roll of names 
well known elsewhere, and who have secured a place for 
themselves in the prominent ranks of science. 
During the past century science has wonderfully advanced, 
and as the years roll on it will lay an ever-widening basis 
upon which to build substantial palaces of knowledge and 
truth, at the same time (let us hope) with such good results 
materially, as well as intellectually, as will enable the race to 
enter upon the greatest possible amount of enjoyment. 
