The title of honorary member has been conferred upon the Lord Bishop of Montreal, Sir Wm. Logan, Knt., L.L.D., F.R.S., F. G. S., Charles Smallwood, Esq., M.D., L.L.D., F.M.S., &c., &c., Professor Mitchell, of Cincinnati, ProfessorHall, Albany, Pro fessor Dunglison, Philadelphia. The course of lectures annually delivered under the auspices of the Society commenced on the 22nd January, and were remarkably well attended by the public generally. The Introductory Lecture was delivered by Principal Dawson. 2nd Lecture-Thursday, 29th Jan.-by E. Billings, Esq. Subject : "The Geology of the Ottawa Region." 3rd Lecture-Thursday, 5th Feb.-By T. S. Hunt, Esq. Subject: "Natural History of the Alkalies." 4th Lecture-Thursday, 12th Feb.-By Rev. A. DeSola. Subject Scripture Zoology." 5th Lecture-Thursday, 19th March.-By Jas. Barnston, M. D. Subject." General view of Vegetable Life." 6th Lecture-C. Dutton, Esq. Subject: "Balænus Mysticus." The Council feel greatly indebted to those gentlemen for their valuable services on those occasions, and congratulate the Society on the interest taken in the lectures by the public. They hope that the next Course may be on a larger scale, held in a more convenient room, and attended by a still larger number of persons. The Council regret that from various reasons they have not been able to carry out so fully as they could have wished the recommendation of their predecessors, to obtain the reading and discussion of Monthly Essays or Papers, one paper only having been submitted; but they trust that the Meeting of the American Association and the greater facilities for acquiring a knowledge of Natural Science now enjoyed in this city, will have the good effect of calling forth greater scientific exertions in future. The Council have much pleasure in reporting that L. A. H. Latour, Esq., 1st Vice-President, has during the year offered a Gold Medal as prize, for the best Essay in French or English on any subject of Canadian Natural History. They beg to recommend to their successors the appointment of a Committee to receive the Essays that may be offered, and to adjudge the Prize on the 1st August next. This measure, your Council trust, will call forth much latent talent, and advance the objects of the Society, while it rewards with honor the successful candidate, and realises the liberal and praiseworthy intentions of the donor. Your Council also report that Mr. Billings, late of Ottawa, a Corresponding Member of the Society, having come to reside permanently in Montreal, has expressed a wish that the Society should take a part in the publication of "The Canadian Naturalist and Geologist," so successfully conducted by him during the past year. This offer was favorably received by the Society, and a Committee was formed to carry out this object and to open a subscription list for the issue of the second volume under the title of the "Canadian Naturalist and Geologist, and Transactions of the Natural History Society of Montreal." Another Committee was appointed to superintend its publication, of which Mr. Billings himself undertakes a part. Your Council are happy to say a first number has been printed under very auspicious circumstnces, and they trust that this undertaking will meet with complete success. Your Council have not considered it prudent at present to solicit from the Legislature a Copy Right Law, to compel publishers to contribute a copy of every publication to the several Literary and Scientific Institutions of the Province. The law as regards copyright is yet in an undecided and unsettled state, and they recommend that the matter receive the consideration of their suc cessors. The Council are sorry to announce that Mr. Broome, so long the Janitor of the Society, died after a brief illness a few months ago, and they have from various considerations deemed it proper for the present, to continue the services of his widow, as keeper of the premises, which they trust will meet with the approval of the Society. The accompanying Reports of the Treasurer, Librarian and Cabinet Keeper, will present an account of the condition and prospects of the Finances, the Library, and the Museum. In view of the meeting of the American Association in August, and of the necessity of arranging and presenting the subjects of the Museum in the best and most scientific order, the Council have engaged the services of J. M. D'Urban Esq., a young Naturalist of considerable attainments and ability, for six months as Assistant Curator. As however the collection cannot be rendered complete or properly arranged without considerable expense, which the present ordinary income of the Society will not sufficiently afford, it has been resolved to meet the additional expenditure by applying to this purpose any special funds that may be obtained. In surrendering the important interests which have during the past year been confided to them, your Council experience much satisfaction in reviewing the activity and energy of the Society. A measure of progress has marked the history of this valuable Institution—an accession of scientific talent has been acquired, and much important literary and other labour has been undertaken. As the coming year appears destined to be one of considerable promise in promoting the aims of the Society, your Council beg to express a hope that its zeal and energy in the cause and promotion of Science may be crowned with complete success, and may largely contribute to foster that spirit of earnest investigation into the phenomena of nature which so eminently distinguishes the present age. In conclusion, the Council have to express their gratitude for the liberal aid given by the Government in consideration of the invitation extended to the American Association. The Council recommend that a portion of this sum be expended in arranging and improving the Museum, in providing an entertainment for one of the evenings of the meeting, and that the balance be reserved for any aid that the Society may be called upon to contribute towards the success of the meeting. A Report from the Treasurer showing a balance in hand of over ten pounds was also read; as was a Report from the Curator of the Museum, on the state of the Society's collection, and the donations made to it during the past year. On motion of Dr. Barnston, seconded by Dr. Jones, it was resolved that the Reports now read be received and adopted, and referred to the Council for early publication. ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS. The President having appointed Drs. Fraser and Barnston as Scrutineers, the meeting proceeded to ballot for Office Bearers and Council. The following was declared the result : President, J. W. Dawson; 1st Vice-President, L. A. H. Latour; 2nd Vice-President, Sir W. E. Logan; 3rd Vice-President, E. Billings; Corresponding Secretary, W. Hingston, M. D.; Recording Secretary, A. N. Rennie; Treasurer, James Ferrier, jr. Cabinet Keeper and Librarian-Jas. Barnston, M. D. Members of Council.-Rev. A. F. Kemp, Dr. Fraser, Rev. A. DeSola, Dr. Jones, and H. Chapman. Library Committee.-Dr. Wright, D. A. Poe, H. Rose, N. S. Whitney. Mr. J. M. D'Urban was appointed Assistant Curator to the Society; and the following gentlemen named as the Editing Committee of the Canadian Naturalist; Messrs. Dawson, Billings, Poe, Hunt, Hingston, Barnston, and Rennie. On motion by Dr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Billings, it was resolved : That the thanks of the Society are hereby given to the retiring Office-bearers and Council, for their valuable and efficient services. during the past year. On motion by the Rev. A. D. Campbell, seconded by Mr. Dutton, it was resolved: That the best thanks of this meeting are due to H. H. Whitney, Esq., M.P.P., for his kind and valuable services in furtherance of the Society's Petition, for a supplementary grant, and that the Recording Secretary be directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Honorable Member. It was also moved by the Rev. A. D. Campbell, seconded by L. A. H. Latour, and resolved-That the sum of twenty-five pounds be granted to the Recording Secretary for incidental expenses, and obtaining the necessary assistance connected with the approaching Scientific Convention. The President having left the chair, which was taken by Dr. Barnston, The Rev. A. F. Kemp, in a highly complimentary speech, proposed a cordial vote of thanks to Prof. Dawson, for his able, efficient and zealous services during the past year. The motion was seconded by the Rev, A. DeSola, and carried by acclamation. The President briefly but appropriately acknowledged the compliment, and the meeting broke up. A. N. RENNIE, Rec. Sec. Amo'nt of Snow in inches. Weather, Clouds, Remarks, &c., &c. [A cloudy sky is represented by 10, a cloudless one by 0.] 8 inches. 824 es. 5. 9. 4. Clear. ¡Cirr. C. Str. 4. Str. 2. Cirr. C. Str. 9. Cirr. Str. 9. Clear. Hazy. Hazy. Cir. Str. 10. 4. Ra. with Th. 66 8. Thunder. Str. 2. Clear. C. C. Str. 4. Lunar Halo. Rain fell on 3 days amounting to 4262 inches; it was raining 68 hours 42 minutes and was accompanied by Thunder on 2 days. Most prevalent wind the N. E. by E. Least prevalent wind the E. Least windy day, the 31st day; mean miles per hour, 071. Lunar Halo on 1 night. The Electrical state of the atmosphere has indicated moderate intensity. Ozone was in moderate quantity. Shad 1st caught on the 24th day. |