the dyke runs across the surface, and its relative age as compared with the dykes which it cuts, which age may be ascertained by examining the intersection of the two dykes and noticing which is broken across and cut through by the other. Collections from a series of dykes of different ages which cut one another, if accompanied by a note. as to which each cuts and is cut by will always be of great value.

Mount Royal itself offers a most excellent opportunity for the detailed study of one of the great problems of modern geology—that of the mutual relation of igneous magmas in volcanic centres, and the collecting of material for study as above outlined would be a real contribution toward the solution of the problem.

Again, for those members of the Society whose interest lies more particularly in the domain of mineralogy, there is a field of especial interest in the Corporation quarry, above mentioned, at Outremont. Here in the cracks and crevasses of the nepheline syenite and the limestone near its contact with the igneous rock, a number of very rare

and

strange minerals have been found, and a careful search would probably be well repaid by the discovery of additional specimens, and possibly of entirely new species.

Another series of very interesting geological problems and studies are presented by the "Drift" which mantles the surface of the Island and constitutes its soil. This is the most recent of our geological deposits, and is well exposed in almost every excavation made in and about the city. It has been well described by Sir William Dawson in his book entitled "The Canadian Ice Age," but fresh information is continually to be obtained from new openings. Such new openings should in every case be studied, the order of succession of the various strata noted, and their respective thickness recorded. In this way information may often be obtained which later on it would be impossible to procure.

These drift deposits are, moreover, often highly fossiliferous, a great many species, especially of sea shells, occurring in them. Such occurrences are of the greatest importance, and should always be noted, the precise locality and, if possible, the height above sea-level or the relative height as compared with some fixed point, as, for instance, the McGill College Observatory, being ascertained. The presence of boulders of any peculiar, rare or striking variety of rock, at any point, is also worthy of attention, as it is often possible by means of these to determine the local direction of the ice flow during glacial time.

All information concerning the deep artesian borings put down from time to time in and about the city is of the greatest value, and should be communicated to the Society. Samples of the borings from various depths should always be secured if possible, and carefully preserved.

And, finally, the study of the influence of the geological structure of the vicinity upon the topography of the city and upon its history and development will be found to be of the greatest interest. The very location of the city, the courses of its streets and the distribution of its population will be found to have been directly influenced by geological causes, which often date back almost to the beginning of geological time.

It will thus be seen that the members of our Society have presented to them a host of geological problems, to the solution of which they may make contributions of permanent value.

PHENOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS IN CANADA.

By A. H. MACKAY, LL.D, F.R.S.C.

In 1890, Section IV of the Royal Society of Canada passed the following resolution:

"That the various Natural History and Scientific Societies affiliated with the Royal Society be requested by it to obtain accurate records in their individual localities of meteorological phenomena, dates of the first appearance of birds, of the leafing and flowering of certain plants, and of any events of scientific interest for collation and publication in the Transactions of the Society."

Schedules for the recording of such observations were sent to the said societies, but local observers did not become interested to any considerable extent. In 1891 the Botanical Club of Canada was organized by the said Section of the Royal Society, and one of the departments of botanical work undertaken by the Club was the stimulation of these phenological observations.

In 1892 nine observers in Nova Scotia sent in reports; one from Yarmouth County, one from Lunenburg County, one from Hants County, four from King's County, and two from Cumberland County.

In 1893 there were thirteen reports sent in; ten from Nova Scotia, and three from New Brunswick.

In 1894 there were seventeen reports; eleven from Nova Scotia, one from Prince Edward Island, four from New Brunswick, and one from Manitoba.

In 1895 there were twenty-five reports; ten from Nova Scotia, one from Prince Edward Island, six from New Brunswick, three from Ontario, two from Manitoba, one from Assiniboia, one from Alberta, and one from British

Columbia.

In 1896 there were nineteen reports; eleven from Nova Scotia, one from Prince Edward Island, two from New

Brunswick, two from Ontario, one from Manitoba, one from Assiniboia, and one from British Columbia.

In 1897 there were fifteen reports; seven from Nova Seotia, one from Prince Edward Island, two from Ontario, two from Manitoba, one from Assiniboia, and two from British Columbia.

By this time the idea was extensively taken up in the public Schools of the province of Nova Scotia, the pupils of a whole school section or district being the observers, under the direction and criticism of the teacher. The observations were a part of the prescribed "Nature Studies" in all schools, although the recording of them in the Phenological Records of the locality and the sending of a duplicate of the observations to the Inspector to be transmitted to the Education Office, were entirely voluntary. While the schedule of the Botanical Club had a list of about sixty objects for the observation of their first occurrence each season, the schedule of the public schools had over one hundred objects on its list, with instructions and a column for the observation of (1) the first occurrence and (2) when each began to be common. Over two hundred fairly well filled schedules were sent in from as many localities throughout the province.

In 1898, members of the Botanical Club sent in thirteen reports on the new schedule; eight from Nova Scotia, one from Prince Edward Island, one from Ontario, one from Assiniboia, one from Alberta, and one from British Columbia. But over seven hundred were sent in from as many school sections throughout the province of Nova Scotia, fairly distributed over every county.

I quote the following from the directions and cautions printed on the back of the schedule for recording these "Local Nature Observations" to illustrate the conditions under which the work is done:

This sheet is provided for the purpose of aiding teachers to interest their pupils in observing the times of the

regular procession of natural phenomena each season. First, it may help the teacher in doing some of the Nature' lesson work in the Course of Study; secondly, it may aid in procuring valuable information for the locality and province. Two copies are provided for each teacher who wishes to conduct such observations, one to be attached to the school register, so as to be preserved as the property of the section for reference from year to year: the other to be sent in with the Return to the Inspector, who will transmit it to the Superintendent for examination, and compilation if desirable.

'What is desired is to have recorded in these forms, the dates of the first leafing, flowering and fruiting of plants and trees; the first appearance in the locality of birds migrating north in spring or south in autumn, etc. While the objects specified here are given so as to enable comparison to be made between the different sections of the province, it is very desirable that all other local phenomena of a similar kind be recorded. Each locality has a flora, fauna, climate, etc., more or less distinctly its own; and the more common trees, shrubs, plants, crops, etc., are those which will be most valuable from a local point of view in comparing the characters of a series of seasons.

"Teachers will find it one of the most convenient means for the stimulation of pupils in observing all natural phenomena when going to and from the school, some of the pupils radiating as far as two miles from the school room. The nature study' under these conditions would be mainly undertaken at the most convenient time, thus not encroaching on school time; while on the other hand it will tend to break up the monotony of school travel, fill an idle and wearisome hour with interest, and be one of the most valuable forms of educational discipline. The eyes of a whole school daily passing over a whole school district would let very little escape notice, especially if the first observer of each annually recurring phenomenon