Canada must follow the salutary example of other old established British Colonies, and conduct for herself investigations into the nature and distribution of her indigenous productions. We already possess in Canada several important scientific societies in active operation. While the Canadian Institute is of a comprehensive character, embracing all branches of science, literature and philosophy, the special department of geology is amply cultivated by the Natural History Society of Montreal, which has also, however, made valuable contributions to zoology and botany. In addition to such institutions as these, we have, of still more special character, the Government Geological Survey, which has been instrumental in carrying out investigations of the greatest importance to the country, whether their results be viewed as intellectual achievements, or as contributions to material industry. It is proposed that our Society shall have for its object the advancement of Botanical Science in all its departments-Structural, Physiological, Systematic and Geographical; and the application of Botany to the useful and ornamental arts of life. The means by which this object may be accomplished are various, and will come before us for discussion from time to time. In the meantime, it is proposed that there shall be monthly evening meetings in Kingston, during the winter for the reading of papers, receiving botanical intelligence, examining specimens, and discussing matters of scientific interest in relation to the science; also that there shall be field meetings during the summer in distant localities in Canada, as well as in the other British Provinces of North America, and occasionally also in the adjoining States, whereby our members may have an opportunity, of investigating the botany of districts that have been imperfectly examined. By the above and similar means, much important information may be brought together. Such facts and results, new to science, as are laid before the Society, from time to time, will afford materials for the publication of "Transactions," whereby our stores may be rendered available to the public in Canada, and to botanists in other parts of the world. In addition to such means, the Society may greatly promote its objects by correspondence with botanists in other countries, and especially with those who are located beside the extensive public herbaria, botanical libraries, and gardens, in various parts of the United States and Europe. By correspondence with such persons, many doubtful points on nomenclature may be set at rest, while the existence of information relating

to Canadian Botany, may be ascertained that might otherwise remain unknown. Botanists distinguished in certain branches of the science may be called upon to furnish reports on their special subjects, for which materials may be brought together by the members. Such aid will be of the greatest value to the Society, and I have, therefore, gratification in informing you that communications, have already been received from some of the most active Botanists, in the United States, England, Scotland, and Prussia promising cordial co-operation. So soon as preliminary operations enable us to proceed to the discussion of scientific business you will also have an opportunity of ascertaining that we already have observers throughout the length and breadth of Canada, as well as in the other North American Provinces, from the Red River in the far west, to the Island of Prince Edward in the East. In common with the botanists of other countries we must necessarily take cognizance of those discoveries in structural and physiological botany which are daily challenging a careful examination. But our position in a comparatively new country points out to us a special path of research which it will be our duty to follow-that which has for its object the investigation of the special botany of Canada, the geographical ard local distribution of the plants. The indigenous plants whose products are now used or are capable of being applied to the useful arts, will deserve a large share of attention, and no doubt regard will also be had to those, that are suited to our climate but have not yet been introduced. Strewed around her path in the woods and on the shores of our lakes are many plants capable of yielding food and physic, dyeing and tanning materials, oils, fibers for spinning, and paper making, &c. Even in the midst of the city of Kingston, growing on vacant lots, and in court yards, there are drug plants enough to stock a Liverpool warehouse. Such will no doubt 'be brought into use when better known, and thus an increase, will be effected in the production of the country.

"While leaving to other Societies the discussion of the more general questions of science and to special Societies their peculiar topics, we propose to employ the Botanical Society as an instrument for the collection of facts and the working out of details which are of immediate interest to the botanist alone, but of the greatest importance in leading to correct results in general science. Scientific Societies on a broader basis have too often

degenerated into popular institutions, calculated rather for the amusement of the many than for the encouragement and aid of the few who are engaged in the prosecution of original discovery. We shall be guarded against such a result, in a great measure by the special object of our Institution, but it will be needful, also, while we attempt to spread a taste for Botany, and to diffuse correct information as to its objects, its discoveries and its useful applications, that we should seek rather to bring our members and the public into scientific modes of thought and expression than to allow our Society to yield up its scientific character to suit the popular taste. There is much reason to believe that the want of an organization of this kind, whose duty is to collect and record facts and discoveries, has been the means of losing to science materials of great value. There have been casual residents in Canada, at different times, who have made collections of greater or less extent and who have in some cases, carried out special investigations in Botany without leaving any printed record of their labours. Some of these may still be rescued from oblivion; but there are also other observations, and discoveries made by present residents in the country which, we may confidently hope, will be made available to the Society's purposes.

"The objects sought by the establishment of a Botanical Society in this country are of great importance, both in a scientific and economical point of view. The field is broad and the soil is rich. The extent to which we can cultivate will depend entirely upon the number of the laborers, and the zeal and industry which they display. Let us therefore not be disappointed with our first results. Let us lay a foundation and persevere in the work and workers will gather around us as they have done before in the Botanical Societies of other countries. To organizations of this kind more than to any other means, are we indebted for the advanced state of botanical science, at this day; and in a country such as this, it is especially needful to have a wide spread organization in order to elicit satisfactory results. In an attempt to organise a Society such as this, we may confidently appeal to many classes of the community. The theologian, and moralist see in the vegetable kingdom a display of the power and wisdom and goodness of our Creator, and beautiful types of spiritual teaching; the medical man recognises in it, the source of his most potent drugs; the sanitary reformer knows, that the simpler forms of vegetation are often the cause, and more frequently the index of

more widely spread diseases; the lawyer finds in the microscopical structure of vegetable products a ready means of detecting frauds, adulterations and poisonings; the commercial man recogizes the value of a science having such bearings, and directly devoted to the extension of the sphere of industry; the spinner and paper maker, must here obtain their knowledge of the mechanical condition of vegetable fibres; the farmer, the gardener the orchardist, the vine-grower, the brewer, the dyer, the tanner, and the lumberman, must all apply to botany for an explanation of matters that daily come before them in their various avocations. As an utilitarian institution then our Society is worthy, and will no doubt receive warm support; but it is to be hoped that many zealous laborers will enter the field from higher motives-a desire to promote the cause of science."

The Rev. Principal Leitch reviewed some of the leading points brought forward in the addresses, and referred briefly to some of the more important advantages that might accrue to the country from an institution such as the one that had been proposed, alluding especially to the inducements which it would give to botanical research. Dr. Lawson, he said, when enumerating the grounds for the establishment of a Botanical Society, omitted the weightiestof all, viz, that we can count upon his services. Without his large and valuable experience in the management of such societies I fear we would have little heart to carry out the scheme. He for a long period acted as Secretary to the Edinburgh Botanical Society-one of the most active in the world; and from his accurate knowledge of the details of management, and his well merited distinction in botanical science, he is qualified in no ordinary measure for organizing such a society as the one we contemplate. The labour will fall chiefly upon his shoulders, but we must pledge ourselves to lend him every assistance in our power.

Communications for the Society are to be addressed to Prof. Lawson, Kingston, Canada West.

The Liverpool Naturlists Field-Club held their first meeting on Saturday last under favourable and auspicious circumstances. About uinety-five ladies and gentlemen met at the landing-stage and proceeded thence to Bromborow, in Cheshire one of the most

interesting localities about Liverpool for the study of Natural History. Arrived there they divided into parties of about thirty each, to explore the neighbourhood. One division was lead by a geologist qualified to explain the nature of the surrounding strata; another by two or three proficient botanists; and the third by a gentelman whose name is known to the students of microscopical science. After rambling about and investigating the natural curiosities of the neighbourhood (during which time many curious specimens were obtained), the parties met at a charming little spot in the vicinity called Raby Mere, and partook of a homely but plentiful tea in a garden attached to a farmhouse. At this stage of the proceedings a prize was awarded according to previous arrangement, to a young lady, for the greatest variety of wild flowers collected during the ramble; and several beautiful specimens of plants and insects, as well as a fine viper, were examined by the excursionists with interest. A Commettee meeting was then held in the open air, when it was determined to offer a prize on the occasion of each excursion; the next field meeting was fixed and a great many new members were proposed. The Society already numbers nearly 200 members and promises to be the most extensive of the kind in England. The eqcursionists returned home delighted with their days ramble. We may mention for the government of other clubs of this kind, that more that the third of those present were ladies, who were deeply interested in all the proceedings.Athenæum.

6

New form of Microscope.

On Microscopic Vision, and a New Form of Microscope,' by Sir D. BREWSTER.-In studying the influence of aperture on the images of bodies as formed in the camera, by lenses or mirrors, it occurred to me that in microscopic vision it might exercise a still more injurious influence. Opticians have recently exerted their skill in producing achromatic object-glasses for the microscope. with large angles of aperture. In 1848 the late distinguished optician, Mr. Andrew Ross, asserted "that 135° was the largest angular pencil that could be passed through a microscopic object-glass," and yet in 1855 he had increased it to 170°! while some observers speak of angular apertures of 175°. In considering the influence of aperture, we shall suppose that an achromatic objectglass with an angle of aperture of 170° is optically perfect, repre