of the peridotites, and even from petrological literature, unless it be retained for this remarkable type of breccia. Boulders, such as we have described, might be expected to occur at the base of the sedimentary series, in proximity to a crystalline floor. The Karoo beds in South Africa, as is well known, are underlain in many places by a coarse conglomerate of considerable thickness and great extent, called the Dwyka conglomerate, which is supposed to be Permian or Permo-carboniferous in age. It crops out from beneath the Karoo beds at no great distance from the diamond-bearing district, and very probably extends beneath it. If this deposit has supplied the boulders, the date of the genesis of the diamond is carried back, at the very least, to Palæozoic ages, and possibly to a still earlier era in the earth's history. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. SESSION 1898-99. The first meeting of the Society for the present session took place with the Entomological Society of Ontario, holding their annual meeting in our city and in our rooms and museum, on November 8th. The usual monthly meeting was held in the library, November 28th, 1898, at eight o'clock. The President, Frank D. Adams, Ph.D., in the chair. There were also present, Messrs. H. McLaren, Rev. R. Campbell, D.D., J. B. Williams, E. T. Chambers, Albt. Holden, Dr. H. B. Cushing, Prof. McBride, Prof. Donald, H. H. Lyman, and sixteen other gentlemen and several ladies. Rev. Dr. Campbell read a letter from Sir Sanford Fleming in re a testimonial fund to Mrs. Traill, the authoress. Dr. Campbell volunteered to set the matter before a committee of ladies. The Librarian, Mr. E. T. Chambers, then reported that there were between 200 and 300 unbound volumes collected, awaiting the means to pay for their binding. He also expressed a wish that all of our library was properly catalogued for reference. The Hon. Curator's report was read,, telling of work during the summer and up to the present date, and suggesting many useful things to be done. The reports were received. On motion of Rev. Dr. Campbell, seconded by Mr. E. T. Chambers, resolved: That the thanks of the Society be tendered to the donor (Dr. Springle) for a large Horned Owl (alive). It was moved by Rev. Dr. Campbell, seconded by Mr. J. B. Williams, that the rule be suspended and that the following be elected members of the Society as recommended by the Council, viz: Messrs. Henry G. Vennor and G. H. A. Stevenson as associate, and W. M. Ramsay, G. C. Dunlop, Lachlan Gibb and Auguste Byarelle as ordinary members. Carried. The business of the evening being completed, the Rev. Dr. Campbell gave his special communication on "The Asters and Golden Rods of Montreal"-over fifty (50) specimens which was listened to with great interest, and the specimens examined by all those present. Prof. MacBride and Dr. H. B. Cushing drew attention to the trouble in collecting and arranging them, and expressed the hope that Dr. Campbell would still further pursue his researches. The nomenclature of the plants was according to the determinations of the Torrey Club. Dr. Adams, on behalf of the Society, thanked Dr. Campbell for his paper. Prof. Adams then vacated the chair, Dr. Campbell tak ing it at his request, while Prof. Adams gave his paper On the origin of certain Iron Ores," illustrated by a specimen of Iron recently presented to the "Peter Redpath Museum." Prof. Donald offered a few remarks on this highly interesting and instructive communication, after which the thanks of the meeting were tendered to Prof. Adams. The meeting then adjourned. The third meeting of the Society for the session of 1898-99 was held in the library, January 30th, 1899, at eight o'clock. The President of the Society, Prof. Frank D. Adams, in the chair. There were also present, Prof. MacBride, Messrs. E. T. Chambers, H. McLaren, J. B. Picken, Capt. W. Ross, J. A. U. Beaudry, F. S. Jackson and seven others. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The committee on canvass for funds reported progress, and, as a result, some new members. Dr. Campbell reported that the list of Somerville lectures was now complete, and that the first would be given on Feb. 16th next. The following specimens were added to the museum since last meeting: Two specimens of Mantis-like Neuroptera (Mantispa brunnea), donor, Mr. A. F. Winn. Interior cells of wasp's nest from Dundas Co., Ont., by W. E. Deeks, M.D.; a specimen of Clarke's Nutcracker (Picicorvus Columbianus) received in exchange from Mr. Jas. H. Fleming, and a Tarantula spider from West Africa, donated by Dr. J. A. Springle. A vote of thanks was moved by Mr. J. B. Williams and seconded by Mr. E. T. Chambers. Carried. The Librarian, Mr. E. T. Chambers, reported that some 50 more volumes had been added to the library, some of which awaited binding. On motion of Mr. C. S. J. Phillips, seconded by Mr. H. McLaren, the rule was suspended and Mrs. W. A. P. Chipman and Messrs. Dumouchal, R. Wilson-Smith and Thomas Fyshe were elected, the first-named associate and the other three ordinary members. The routine business being finished, Prof. Adams in a few remarks introduced the subjects that would be considered at the next few meetings; Prof. MacBride's being the first, viz: "Zoological problems for the Natural History Society of Montreal." Prof. MacBride then delivered his very interesting and highly instructive communication, which he said should be called “Study of Evolution in Action." After some remarks by those present a hearty vote of thanks was given to Prof. MacBride. The meeting then adjourned. The fourth meeting of the Society was held February The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Committee, and stated that the Somerville Course was an unqualified success, and great interest was taken in all the subjects. The Curator reported the following donation: Series of Mounted Plants collected in the vicinity of Montreal, by Rev. Robt. Campbell, M.A., D.D. The Librarian, Mr. E. T. Chambers, also reported having received a number of books as contributions to the library. It was moved by Mr. F. W. Richards, seconded by Rev. Dr. Campbell, that the rules be suspended and the following be elected as members of the Society. Carried. Associates-Mr. Geo. Moore, Miss Phillips, Miss Fairley, Miss Cameron, Mr. J. H. Leclair, Dr. A. Fisher; OrdinaryMessrs. J. Murray, P. S. Ross, A. E. Norris, Dr. H. B. Yates, Angus W. Hooper, F. Gascoigne, A. C. Lyman, Alfred Griffin; Life-Geo. Iles. Rev. R. Campbell then took the chair, Dr. Frank D. Adams having vacated same to deliver his paper, entitled "Problems for the Natural History Society, in connection with the Geology of the vicinity of Montreal." At the close of the lecture a discussion took place; Prof. E. W. MacBride making some interesting remarks. A hearty vote of thanks was tendered to Dr. Adams for what proved to be a most interesting lecture, and calculated to stimulate meinbers to take a greater interest in that interesting study,-Geology. The fifth monthly meeting of the Society was held March 27th, 1899, Mr. A. Holden occupying the chair. There were also present, Messrs. J. A. U. Beaudry, F. W. Richards, J. B. Williams, J. Gardner, Dr. E. D. Blackader, E. T. Chambers, Rev. R. Campbell, D.D., Dr. Cushing, A. Byarelle and a number of strangers. Minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. A communication was read from the Royal Society of Canada re appointing a delegate to attend the general meeting. Left over to next meeting. The following donations were reported by the Curator : A collection of North American Birds' Eggs, consisting of one hundred and seventeen specimens. Donor, Mr. C. N. Sonne. A Spanish Silver Coin of Charles III, also one Chinese and one Japanese Coin. Donor, Mrs. Alfred Griffin. Confederate Bill (1861) for $50.00. Donor, Mr. Reginald Davidson. Two Ferns. Donor, Mr. J. B. Goode. |