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Le ar’ Od 1 aE Pade ign BM Ce) i JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS © wal OF THE bamilton Association, Fer the Cultivation of Science, Literature and Art. hamilton, Canada. ‘She Museum of the Associati is, r niet Cie cae | Public Library, ‘Build “Ost Heat SO bic ii f se! ——- OE be >) Dabs ¥ , AG | pay ss Sina A eee 4 SESSIONS 1908-09 and 1909-10 NUMBERS XXV. and XXVI. AUTHORS OF PAPERS ARE ALONE RESPONSIBLE FOR STATEMENTS MADE AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED THEREIN. PRINTED FOR THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION BY HEATH & LOCKHART 2200216 CONTENTS PAGE OMGPETS IT GOSLO Opiate i roam lees es) ee an Ee ae 2 Office Bearers from 1857 . ei Mar dare irta idloleeh seas cka 4 Kase lasik gj sta Nr TaniaUraas aes CMI 4 Members of Council from UST AEs ai nO savy Rae eLUA EG aus hie! tS) Report of Council for Sessiommg08-00) 0). Lip me eee II Report of Recording Secretary for Session 1908-09 . 14 Treasurer’s Statement for Year Closing May 13,1909. ...- .» pe ReEpOEt or Geclocical Section ie, 4) Givi uneay eo. Women eee 24 fy CEN SLEO TON CAM OCLEL Yi s tes Meiers Tei '< caso ce Na aa nano Hanoi Sn SATE raTS © CEO su Nec toner Naan leans Uchine iatec incu ita nana” nea 28 as Serb OLOSICAL SECHOM a) vaiiels He lotic He aanduielnene ney cae 30 ES or A Sees CUUIT ALLO Tes Aen sicgena a cua ues ONO Se DLe eA iret onea A ony en i Sa 31 Some Things Applied Science Has Done forthe Farmer .. . 32 TTAB OMASRE sierra tos g sel ule eRe NU etry eR Ot UMN akon StL iia Ream Snes aia avi 38 AVIS Era tay, ay Ryasines aes sit ucemn reine SCN MRE KID CHCA 8 LMI A AB MLE oA Vo AG Great Achtevemients)in/ Bredse Building... nh ays pee es Haeckel: His Life, Work and Companions ......... 74 The Phyletic Museum atJena..... py ieabares oUDR SIE a ae 92 A Few Hints on Local Fossil ees TCE Care eine ef) CaS) AvPlantation 1a Tropical Porest) orice ie sta vedi a ere ner nor Natural HistoryiNotes. 0 i cai aon ing aie ye Ue eae ies eer Eareoas Curators Report) TOU Wiener ei chick ice Wal mrtel angie iaetalno aye) mnie Geological; Report WOUON easy vor wh Pehle a cha eae ae UI He ie aa a as Report of Camera Sechlom TOTO heya iiey etait (ence bt cael Loe Pic: ow a Glostea l Section TOTONRsyed sey, ia (ese atlend al |e Weil SMTP) Treasurers atement for Year closing May 13,1909... . . 130 ue ut CF HA UIVES 7 eu OMOn sive, heviroouecieeay aatega HMonoragy,) Members Veiiaec ei miieuie leuuateso enya ual Mea Sieh Niece joist Ul ANeae BAS tof sch amoes a etter ven 1 tien. ite7 Oye eels ie aime y ume ann ent. ras yl oN taraae Tast Of Mectures tor S€asOM 1 G0O-10i i jel tee) elle nel ome ie eel PEW LYMAN LEE, B.A. President 1909-10-17 Journal and Proceedings OF THE Wamilton Mssoctation FOR SESSIONS OF 1908-90-10. NUMBERS XXV. AND XXVI. AUTHORS OF PAPERS ARE ALONE RESPONSIBLE FOR STATE- MENTS MADE AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED THEREIN. PRINTED FOR THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION BY HEATH & LOCKHART 1910 HILL No President, 19¢6-07 R Officers for 1908-09 FL Honorary President ADAM BROWN President A. ALEXANDER, F. S. Sc. Ist Vice-President 2nd Vice-President H. B. WITTON MATTHEW LEGGAT Corresponding Secretary Ge PARRY JENKINS) HR. ALS: Recording Secretary J. F. BALLARD Treasurer Curator P. L. SCRIVEN COL. C. C. GRANT Council LYMAN LEE, B.A. JAMES GADSBY A. H. BAKER J. M. WILLIAMS REV. W. DELOS SMITH Auditors E. H. DARLING ‘T. H. WINGHAM, B.A.Sc. OF F PG President. First Vice-Pres. Secend Vice-Pres. 1857 |Rev. W. Ormiston, D.D.: 1858 |John Rae, M.D..F.B.G.S.| 1859|Rev. W. Ormiston, D.D.. 1860/Rev. W. Inglis, D.D... 1861/Rev. W. Ormiston, D.D.. 1871)W. Proudfoot ......... Judge Logie.... ....... 1872\Judge Logie....... sic gellsla iby WWaaRroe, WIE o 5s 1873|H. B. Witton, M.P...... J. M. Buchan, M.A 1874/H. B. Witton, M.P...... J. M. Buchan, M.A AS(SNE-oB Witton:..4.5. 222. J. M. Buchan, M.A.... 1880|T. Mcllwraith ......... Rey. W. P. Wright, M.A. 1881|J. D. McDonald, M.D.. |R. B. Hare, Ph.D...... 1882 |J. D. McDonald, M.D...|B. E. Charlton.. .. .. 1883 |J. D. McDonald, M.D..°|B. E. Chariton... .. .. 1884 |J. D. McDonald, M.D...|H. B. Witton.. ...... 1885 [Rev. C. H. Mockridge, D | | John Rae, M.D.,F.R.G.S. Rev. W. Ormiston, D.D.. J. B. Hulburt,M.A.,Lu.D Pe Methwratthencewc. - J.B. Hulburt,M.A.,LL.D Rev. S. Lyle Revi niyles. sas ee M.A., D.D. 1886 |Rev. C. H. Mockridge, M.A., D.D. 1887 |Rev. S. Lyle, B.D..... 1888 |Rev. S. Lyle, B.D..... 1889 |B. E. Charlton Ce a ee ed Be we Charitone2 =~: T. J. W. Burgess, M.B., F.R.S.C. T. J. W. Burgess, M.B., F.R.S.C. A. T. Freed J.B.Hulburt,M.A.,LL.D. J.B.Hulburt,M.A.,LL.D:. Charles Rebbe Rev. W. Ormiston, D.D.. Rev. W. Inglis, D.D Richard Bull Richard Bull ey a) cr rs W. H. Mills H. B. Witton ep Wo, Bohs AVEREES eso a wie ae peena ~|/D. DE, Ullal llOl ... «ee J. A. Mullin, M.D H. B. Witton Rey. C.. H. Mockridge, M_ Av DD aes W. Kennedy fF YY. EXOEHTPICUDY .. . 2% w0 2 ce ee Matthew Leggat |W. A. Child, M.A.....-. W. A. Child, M.A...s.-- p . Alston Moffat ef YiGLLUCW LIS SSagb «24-2 eae I BEARERS Cor. Sec. Rec. Sec. + 3 o rt) o Lib. and Cur. TC Keefer, CE. Tj]. C. Keefer, C.H.. | C. Keefer, C.E... Wim. Craigie, M.D. Wm. Craigie, M.D. J. M. Buchan, M.A. J. M. Buchan, M.A. . Geo. Dickson, M.A.. Geo. Dickson, M.A. Geo. Dickson, M.A R. B. Hare, Ph.B.. Geo. Geo. Geo. Geo. Dickson, M.A.. Dickson, M.A.. M.A.. Geo. M.A.. Geo. M.A.. HB. Witton, B.A.. Dickson, Dickson, Dickson, Dickson, H. B. Witton, ByA| H. B. Witton, B.A..'A.Alexander,F.S.Sc.. M.A.. Wm. Graigie, M.D... Wm. Craigie, M.D... Wm. Craigie, M.D.... Wm. Craigie, M.D.... Wm. Craigie, M.D... ..B.McQuesten,M.A.. 1.B.McQuesten,M.A.. Geo. Dickson, M.A... Geo. Dickson, M.A... Geo. Dickson, M.A... Geo. Dickson, M.A... A. Robinson, M.D... Wm. Kennedy Wm. Kennedy .... A. Alexander...... A. Alexander ‘A. Alexander,F’.S.Sc. . 'A4.Alexander,F.S.Sc. : A.Alexander,F.S.Sc. .{michard Bull erecece Richard Bull Weblo Parkes suns. Wise Rar kate ee We Bee Rark ei Wesel bark jni oor Whales Parkers cyst. W. G. Crawford . W. G. Crawford . Richard Bull ..... Richard Bull ..... A. Macallum, M.A. Richard Bull Richard Bull Richard Bull Richard Bull eenee eesee etree oe eee Richard Bull Richard Bull Richard Bull sea ee eee ee sees ee ses Richard Bull A. Harvey A. Harvey A. Harvey Charles Robb le ay Le T. Te m 4 Mcellwraith Mcllwraith Mcll wraith Mellwraith Mellwraith . Mcllwraith A. T. Freed vas ey W. H. Ballard, ~~ M. A. W. H. Ballard, M. A. W. H. Ballard, - M. A. . Wm. Turnbull A. Gaviller A. Gaviller A. Gaviller A. Gaviller A. Gaviller OFFICE. 1890 |B. 1891 |A. 1992 A. 1993] A. 1994S. 1805 |A. 1996] A. 1897|A. 1998. 1899 |. 1900 |S. 19013. 19025. 1903 |J. 1904 |G. 1905 |G. 1906 |R. 1907 |R. 1908] A. 1909 Lyman Lee, B.A..... President. First Vice-Pres Second Vice-Pres By Chariton 2: <2. ....7|J> Alston Moffat % 0555 6 AE. Neill bia oy akan a ae Niexandery HE Scoc: ss clAci whe Neher. 5 ices os SS. Briggs! <2 eee Alexander, B.S: 9Gi1AC Ts Neill. 2 fee. Sores S.) Briggs’ 52 yas. peer Nlexander< be OroGrenc Ae dbNetlle ce are cere T. W. Reynolds, M.D... HID OS ER ie erect PA ING bas ittas sistem esicee T. W. Reynolds, M.D... BSN GM sco os oes TW: Reynolds, M.D). - 1A: BH. Walken = 25.2505. HONG cee ee Se T. W. Reynolds, M.D:.. |A. E. Walker .......-. Alexander, F.S.Sc..../T. W. Reynolds, M.D... |A. E. Walker .......... W. Reynolds, M.D.:.|A. BK. Walker .......... J. Mi. Dickson. =aseee W. Reynolds, M.D..-/A. BE. Walker .......... Jz Mi. Diekson a aeseeee A. Morgan, B.A., Jee Mew Dicksomeacweree ce Wm. ©. Herriman, M.D. D. Ped. JaMesDicksonta cee ner: Robert Campbell ...... A. Morgan, B.A., D. Ped. MES Dicksonec0:cn% Dickson... 440: Johnston, B.A.. M. Li: L. Johnston, B.A.... J. J. Alexander, .......... Robert Campbell ee eee ee W. A. Child, MEAS Rey. D. B. Marsh, Sc.D |W. A. Robinson ....... Rev. D. B. Marsh, Rey. D. B. Marsh, J. M. Williams ...... He eBMeWitton=-s.oeee ...{G. Parry Jenkins, BRS Aco: ..|Rev. D. B. Marsh, Sc.D./R. A. Ptolemy ......... Sc.D.|James Gadsby ......... Sc.D.|James Gadsby ....... aoe Wm: Acheson. <2. cares M. ‘Leggatt... 3 genres Mo Ke Ballard. 4360s Ps BEARERS Cor. Sec. Thomas S. Morris.. Thomas S. Morris.. W. McG. hogan, B.A W. McG. Logan, B.A Rev. J. H. Long, M.A., LL.D. Rev. J. H. Long, M.A. LL.D. FF’. Macpherson,B.A Wim. C. Herriman,. M. D. Thomas S. Morris. .° Thomas S. Morris..- Thomas S. Morris... F_F.Macpherson,B.A. R. R. ec areeree eee eeseeoe F.R.A.S. . A. Morgan, B.A., D. Peed. . Parry Jenkins F.R.A.S. R G. Parry Jenkins, S) G | Rec. Sec. Treas. Lib. and Cur. H. B. Witton, B.A../A.Alexander,F.S.Sc../Richard Bull ..... A. Gaviller A. W. Stratton, B.A./Richard Bull ..... A. Gaviller and G. M. Leslie CG. R. McCullough ..|Richard Bull ..... A. Gaviller and G. M. Leslie S. A. Morgan, B.A../Thomas S. Morris |A. Gaviller and W. Chapman S. A. Morgan, B.A../Thomas S. Morris |A. Gaviller and W. 5 Chapman S, A. Morgan, BeAs.. M. Burns....-: A. Gaviller and W. Chapman 3S. A. Morgan, B.A./P. L. Seriven ..../A. Gaviller and H. B. Peed. . Moore S. A. Morgan, B.A.|P. 1. Seriven ....|A. Gaviller and H. B. Ped. S. Moore S. A. Morgan, B.A.,JP. L. Seriven ..../A. Gaviller B. Peed. S. A. Morgan, B.A.|P. lL. Seriven ..../A. Gaviller and J. BR, Pad: Schuler G. L. Johnston, B.A../P. lu. Scriven ..../A. Gavillerand J. - Schuler G. li. Johnston, B.A. |P. L. Scriven ..../A. Gaviller and J. Schuler — G. U. Johnston, B.A.|P, L. Scriven ..../A. Gaviller and J. Schuler G. L. Johnston, B.A..|P. L. Seriven ....|J. Schuler J. F. Ballard ....... P. lL. Scriven ..../Col. C. C. Grant Jere Ballard sec P. L. Seriven ..../Col. C. C. Grant J. ¥, Ballard .......|P. Li. Seriven ....|Col. C. C. Grant‘an* J. M. Williams J. EF. Ballard ....... P. L. Seriven ....|Col. C. C. Grant an : J. M. Williams eds, Ballard eee cae P. 1. Scriven..... Col. C. C. Grant Gadsby sas Poel aS Crivelli sane Col. C. C. Grant W. A. Child, Ph.B.,|J. M. A. Members of Council 1857—Judge Logie, George L. Reid, C.E., A. Baird, C. Freeland. 1858—Judge Logie, C. Freeland, Rev. W. Inglis, D.D., Adam Brown, C. Robb. 1859—Rev. W. Inglis, D.D., Adam Brown, Judge Logie, C. Freeland, Richard Bull. 1860—J. B. Hulburt, M.A., LL.D., C. Freeland, Judge Logie, Richard Bull, Wm. Boultbee, Dr. Laing. 1871—Geo. Lowe Reid, C.E., Rev. W. P. Wright, M.A., A. Macallum, M.A., A. Strange, M.D., Rev. A. B. Simpson. 1872—Judge Proudfoot, Rev. W. P. Wright, M.A., John Seath, M.A., H. D. Cameron, A. T. Freed. 1873—Judge Logie, T. McIlwraith, Rev. W. P. Wright, M.A., A. Alexander, I. B. McQuesten, M.A. 1874—Judge Logie, T. Mcllwraith, Rev. W. P. Wright, M.A., A. Alexander, I. B. McQuesten, M.A. 1875—Judge Logie, T. McIlwraith, Rev. W. P. Wright, M.A., A. Alexander, I. B. McQuesten, M.A. 1880—-M. Leggat, I. B. McQuesten, M.A., A. Alex- ander, Rev. R. Burns, M.A., LL.D:, D.D. 1881—T. Mcllwraith, H. B. Witton, A. T. Freed, Rev. W. P. Wright, M.A., A. F. Forbes. 1882—T. MclIlwraith, H. B. Witton, A. T. Freed, A. F. Forbes, Rev. C. H. Mockridge, M.A., D.D. 1883—A. Alexander, A. Gaviller, A. F. Forbes, T. Mes Ilwraith, R. Hinchcliffe. 1884—A. Gaviller, A. F. Forbes, T. Mcllwraith, R. Hinchcliffe, W. A. Robinson. 1885—W. A. Robinson, 8. Briggs, G. M. Barton, J. Alston Moffat, A. F. Forbes. 1886—J. Alston Moffat, Samuel Slater, Wm. Milne, James Leslie, M.D., C. S. Chittenden. 1887—J. Alston Moffat, James Leslie, M.D., P. L. Seriven, Wm. Milne, C. 8. Chittenden. 1888—J. Alston Moffat, B. E. Charlton, T. W. Rey- nolds, M.D., 8. J. Ireland, Wm. Kennedy. 1889—T. W. Reynolds, M.D., S. J. Ireland, Wm. Turnbull, A. W. Hanham, Lieut.-Col. Grant. 1890—Col. Grant, A. W. Hanham, W. A. Robinson, A. E. Walker, Thos. 8. Morris. 1891—Col. Grant, W. A. Robinson, J. F. McLaughlin B.A., T. W. Reynolds, M.D., Wm. Turnbull. 1892—T. W. Reynolds, M.D., W .A. Robinson, P. L. Seriven, Wm. Turnbull, Wm. White. 1893—James Ferres, A. E. Walker, P. L. Scriven, Wm. White, W. H. Elliott, Ph.B. 1894—James Ferres, A. EK. Walker, P. L. Seriven, J. H. Long, M.A., LL.B., W. H. Elliott, B.A., Ph.B. 1895—J. E. P. Aldous, B.A., Thos. 8. Morris, W. H. Elliott, B.A., Ph.B., P .L. Scriven, Major Mclaren. 1896—J. E. P. Aldous, B.A., Thos. S. Morris, W. H. Elliott, B.A., Ph.B., George Black, J. M. Burns. 1887—W. H. Elliott, B.A., Thos. S. Morris, Robt. Campbell, J. R. Moodie, Wm. White. 1898—W. H. Elliott, B.A., Robt. Campbell, W. A. Childs, M.A., Wm. C. Herriman, M.D., W. A. Robinson. 1899—W. H. Elliott, B.A., Robt. Campbell, W. A. Childs, M.A.. Wm. C. Herriman, M.D., W. A. Robinson. 9 1900—Robt. Campbell, W. A. Childs, M.A., George Black, J. F. Ballard, J. H. Long, M.A.,LL.B. 1901—W. A. Childs, M.A., Geo. Black, J. F. Ballard, J. H. Long, M.A., LL.B., J. R. Heddle. 1902—George Black, J. F. Ballard, J. H. Long, M.A., LL.B., J. R. Heddle, J. M. Williams. 1903—J. M. Williams, George Black, James Gadsby, A. H. Baker, R. A. Ptolemy. 1904—Wm. Acheson, G. Parry Jenkins, J. M. Wil- liams, Robt. Campbell, A. H. Baker. 1905—Wm. Acheson, James Gadsby, J. M. Williams, Robt. Campbell, J. G. Cloke. 1906—Wm. Acheson, Robt. Campbell, A. H. Baker, Rey. Canon Henderson, Walter E. Hill. 1907—James Gadsby, Robt. Campbell, Lyman Lee, B.A., C. G. Milne, B.Sc., A. H. Baker. 1908—Lyman Lee, B.A., J. Gadsby, A. H. Baker, J. M. Williams, Rev. W. Delos Smith: 1909—T. H. Wingham, B.A.Sc., B. O. Hooper, Rev. W. Delos Smith, J. F. Harper, E. S. Hogarth, mH: Baker; 1G Report of Council In submitting their report for the session 1908-1909, your Executive Council beg to say that during the period named ten meetings of the Council took place, and twelve meetings of the General Association were arranged for as follows : NOVEMBER 20, 1908. OPENING MEETING. ‘*Wuat APPLIED SCIENCE HAS DONE For THE FARM,”’ The President, Mr. A. Alexander, F.S.Sc. ‘« Microscopic LIFE—DIATOMS,”’’ Ist Vice-President, Mr. H. B. Witton. ‘‘ Some NOTES ON THE Fit ISLANDS,” Mr. Lyman Lee, B.A. ‘¢ SomE SCIENTIFIC PROBLEMS IN EDUCATION,” Dr. Morgan. SL OCAPERORARY Mr. J. M. Dickson. DECEMBER 4, 1908. “THe BATTLE OF THE FOREST,’’ Prof. B. E. Fernow. DECEMBER 18, 1908. ‘* BURIED CITIES,”’ Mr. Vincent Lightheart. JANUARY 8, 1909. ‘* RECENT INVESTIGATIONS OF THE THOUGHT PROCESS,”’ Prof. A. H. Abbott. iL i2 REPORT OF COUNCIL JANUARY 22, 1909. ‘‘ FRANCIS OF ASSISI,”’ E. Kylie, B A. FEBRUARY 5, 1899. ‘* HuGo DE VRIE’S THEORY OF MUTATIONS,”’ E. Morrison, B.A. FEBRUARY 13, 1999. ‘* SOME REMARKABLE COMETS,’’ Gy Patry Jenkins, FORCAS: MARCH 5, 1969. ‘* AUSTRALIA.”’ Lyman Lee, B.A. MARCH 19, 1989. ‘* SERPENT WoRSHIP,”’ Rev. W. Delos Smith. APRIL 2, 1939. ‘“GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS IN BRIDGE BUILDING,’’ CaR. Vous BA-Se. APRIL 16, 1809. ‘* Crvic IMPROVEMENT,”’ Protec. cute. MAY 14, 1968. “ HAECKEL: His LirFE, WORK AND COMPANIONS,’’ Ist Vice-President, Mr. H. B. Witton. The Constitution has recently been revised to facilitate the working of the Association by relieving the General REPORT OF COUNCIL 13 Meetings of executive business which will now be trans- acted by the Council. It is with much pleasure that we record the election of thirty new members since our last report. This year we have chosen our President, Mr. A. Alexander, as our delegate to the meeting of the Royal Society of Canada at Ottawa on May 24th, 1909. One large flat case for local fossils has been added to the Museum. Owing principally to the indefatigable energy of our Curator, Col. C. C. Grant, many valuable ~ specimens of fossil remains—a number of them new to _science—have been added to our collection. Our Museum has been kept open for the benefit of the public every Saturday afternoon, and it has been visited by an increasing number of citizens and others from the sur- rounding districts. All of which is respectfully submitted. A. ALEXANDER, J. FE BALLARD, President. Recording Secretary. Report of Recording Secretary for Session 1908-09 NOVEMBER 20, 1908. OPENING MEETING. “WHAT AppLiED SCIENCE Has DoNE FoR THE FARM,”’ The President, Mr. A. Alexander, F.S.Sc. ‘* Microscopic LIFE—DIATOMS,’’ 1st Vice-President, Mr. H. B. Witton. ““SomE NoTres ON THE Fiji ISLANDS,”’ Mr. Lyman Lee, B.A. ‘* SOME SCIENTIFIC PROBLEMS IN EDUCATION,’’ Dr. Morgan. ‘* Local FLora,’’ Mr. J. M. Dickson. President A. Alexander, F.S.Sec., occupied the chair. Mr. Alexander expressed the hope that we might have a very successful lecture season, and that the aim of the Association should be to encourage original research as much as possible, in the effort to add something new to the list of human knowledge. Applications for membership were received from Mr. C. H. Dennis, Miss Battram, Miss Dixon and Miss Trail. These were recommended by Rev. W. Delos Smith and Mr. Lyman Lee, B.A., also from Mr. Walter Blandy, proposed by Mr. Williams, and it was decided that these names should be voted upon at the next meeting. Mr. Gadsby was then called upon in regard to some proposed amendments to our Constitution. Mr. Gadsby stated that the amendments had been drafted as desired by 14 REPORT OF RECORDING SECRETARY 15 the Council, and moved that the by-laws be taken as read and brought up at the next meeting for consideration, which was agreed to. President Alexander gave a short but instructive address on the great advance in farming brought about by the application of scientific methods as taught by the agricultural colleges of the Dominion. Mr. Alexander was listened to with great interest and pleasure. The Chairman then called upon Mr. H. B. Witton, who presented a very interesting paper on Diatoms, describing their composition and various forms, and mentioning the fact that some Diatoms are used for microscopes on account of the minute lines of their texture. Mr. Witton’s paper received the applause of the audience. Mr. Lyman Lee, B.A., read a well written paper on the life and customs of the inhabitants of the Fiji Islands, which was much appreciated by all present. Dr. S. A. Morgan, B.A., D. Paed., gave a scholarly exposition of ‘‘ Some Scientific Problems in Modern Edu- cation.’”’ He said that the educator must become a psychologist, that he must also study man as a physical being ; that he must study the problem between mind and brain. ‘The educatcr must accept the views of both the psychologist and biologist. One point which Dr. Morgan emphasized was that we ought to give more attention to physical training, that we could not improve the future generations on and on merely by training their mentality, but we must also give more attention to physical attain- ments. Dr. Morgan was listened to with great pleasure and applause. : Mr. J. M. Dickson gave a very pleasant little talk in his usual genial and affau.e manner about the wild flowers to be found in our locality, advising the young people to go out into the surrounding country to study the native flora and get some sunshine. Mr. Dickson was warmly thanked for his talk on our floral treasures, 16 REPORT OF RECORDING SECRETARY The meeting was then adjourned, all present feeling that they had spent a very enjoyable evening. December 4, 1998. ‘THE BATTLE OF THE FoREST,’’ Prof. B. EK. Fernow. President Alexander occupied the chair, and in the absence of the Secretary, Mr. G. Parry Jenkins read appli- cations for membership from Mr. C. W. Baker, Miss M. Buchanan, Mr. R. B. Cloke, Mr. F. W. Gates, Mr. P. C. Henderson, Miss Mulvaney, Mr. G. E. Johnston, and Mr. G. E. F. Smith, all of these being proposed by Mr. Scriven and seconded by Mr. Lyman Lee ; also an application from Mr. Edward J. Marshall, proposed by Mr. Lyman Lee, and seconded by Mr. G. P. Jenkins; and from Mr. A. W. Dunkley, of the Collegiate Institute, proposed by Mr. G. L. Johnston, and seconded by Mr. Gill. The President announced that these names would be voted upon at the next meeting. Mr. Gadsby not being present, the consideration of amendments to the new by-laws was to remain over until the next regular meeting. Presideat Alexander then called upon Prof. B. EH. Fernow, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, for his illustrated lecture, ‘‘ The Battle of the Forest.’’ _ Mr. Fernow handled his subject in a manner that delighted his audience, not confining himself to reforest- ation, but speaking generally on the subject of forestry. In his concluding remarks he referred to what is being done in Canada towards preserving the timber supply, and he said in this regard that not only was it necessary to renew the crop as the agriculturist does, but it was necessary to prevent the wholesale and indiscriminate destruction of trees by the axe, fire and water. In order to do this the government would have to enact legislation to ensure this protection and see to its strict enforcement. REPORT OF RECORDING SECRETARY 17 At the conclusion of the lecture a vote of thanks, moved by Mr. W. A. Robinson, and seconded by Mr. H. B. Witton, was tendered the speaker. Mr. Robinson asked the Professor if he could account for the dying off of the poplar trees on Poplar Avenue. - The Professor’s reply was that he would have to diagnose the case in order to give a proper answer to the query, but lack of water was a very likely reason. The applications for membership received at the last meeting were regularly voted upon and accepted. The meeting was then adjourned until December 18th. DECEMBER 18, 1908. ‘* BURIED CITIES,”’ Mr. Vincent Lightheart. There was no general business, and the Chairman at once introduced the speaker of the evening, Mr. Vincent Lightheart. With the help of many beautiful lantern slides Mr. Lightheart carried his audience along the valley of the Nile, illustrating and explaining much of the archeological riches in the land of the pyramids, and, at the conclusion of the lecture, received a hearty vote of thanks. ee tee JANUARY 8, 1909. ‘* RECENT INVESTIGATIONS OF THE THOUGHT PROCESS,”’’ Prof. A. H. Abbott. In the absence of President Alexander, Mr. H. B. Witton occupied the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read by tke Secretary, and the names proposed for membership at the last meeting were voted upon and carried. Mr. R. J. Hill proposed the name of Dr. Roberts, City Hal]l, for membership to the Association ; also the name of Inspector Smith. £8 - REPORT OF RECORDING SECRETARY Mr. Witton then introduced the lecturer of the evening, Prof. A. H. Abbott, of Toronto University. By a series of illustrations the learned lecturer endea- vored to show the audience what modern psychology is trying to find out in relation to the process of thinking. The lecture was one of particular interest to the teach- ing profession, and at its close led to a very valuable dis- cussion in which Inspector J. H. Smith, Rev. J. J. Morton, and other gentlemen, engaged. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Prof. Abbott by Inspector Smith, seconded by Mr. W. A. Robinson, and, as the hour was late, the discussion regarding the revising of the regulations of the society was postponed until the next meeting. JANUARY 22, 1909. ‘“FRANCIS OF ASSISI,”’ E. Kylie, B.A. President Alexander occupied the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and con- firmed, and Inspector J. H. Smith and Dr. Roberts made inembers of the Association. The President introduced Mr. EK. Kylie, B.A., who gave a lengthy but interesting biographical sketch of the life of St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan Order of Monks. Mr. H. B. Witton and Mr. Alexander took part in the discussion which followed the lecture. A vote of thanks was moved by Mr. W. A. Child, and ~ seconded by Mr. Seneca Jones. The meeting then adjourned until February 5th. FEBRUARY 5, 1908. ‘‘ HuGo DE VRIE’S THEORY OF MUTATIONS,” E. Morrison, B.A. President Alexander in the chair, REPORT OF RECORDING SECRETARY 19 Mr. E. Morrison, B.A., was received with applause, and gave a very interesting and instructive lecture on ‘‘Hugo DeVrie’s Theory of Mutations,’’ agreeing with his conclusions in the main, but differing in some points on which recent research has thrown a different light in his opinion. At the close of the lecture Mr. Morrison received a hearty vote of thanks, moved by Mr. G. L. Johnston, and ~ seconded by Mr. Lyman Lee, and, in the discussion which followed, the item of greatest interest as indicating the progressiveness of our Association was the fact that our President, Vice-President, Curator, Past President J. M. Dickson, J. B. Turner, and others, are not only keen observers but active investigators of this particular branch of the study of nature, and enthusiastic admirers of nature’s wonders and beauties. FEBRUARY 19, 1969. ‘“SomME REMARKABLE COMETS,’’ G. Parry Jenkins, F.R.A.S. In spite of wet weather a good audience was in attend- ance. i A. Alexander, the President, occupied the chair. There was no general business, but Mr. H. W. Millar, Station Agent, Jordan, was made a member of the Associa- tion. Mr. G. Parry Jenkins, F.R.AS., gave an interesting lecture on Comets, which was illustrated by many fine lantern slides, a number of which were kindly loaned by Prof. Barnard, of Yerkes Observatory. A hearty vote of thanks was extended to Mr. Jenkins for his able lecture, which was followed by an interesting discussion between Mr. Witton and other members. — A vote of thanks was also tendered Prof. Barnard for the use of his very beautiful lantern slides. 3 REPORT OF RECORDING SECRETARY NO MARCH 5, 1969. ‘* AUSTRALIA,”’ Lyman Lee, B.A. A. Alexander, Esq., in the chair. The Corresponding Secretary stated that he had received a communication from the Art School ve the building, and the Chairman suggested that it be left to the Council to deal with, which was carried. The Chairman gave Mr. Lyman Lee, B.A., a very ‘pleasant introduction to the audience, to whom he was already well-known. Mr. Lee gavea very instructive and interesting account of the geological, historical, political and social progress of Australia. The thanks of the Association were tendered to Mr. Lee for his fine lecture by Mr. J. M. Dickson, seconded by Mr. R. J. Hill. MARCH 19, 1909.° ‘“ SERPENT WORSHIP,”’ Rev. W. Delos Smith. In the absence of the President, Mr. H. B. Witton occupied the chair. The minutes were read and confirmed, and Mr. Knee- shaw, 2 new member, was warmly welcomed by a tew apt remarks of the Chairman. Rev. W. Delos Smith gave an exhaustive lecture on ‘“Serpent Worship,’’ which was followed by a very inter- esting talk by Mr, H. B. Witton, who gave a sketch of his knowledge of the subject as it related to India. Mr. F. T. Grist, in seconding the vote of thanks, reviewed his per- sonal experience in Western Africa, and Mr. G. Parry Jenkins told of it as it related to astronomy. REPORT OF RECORDING SECRETARY 21 APRIL 2, 1909. ‘* GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS IN BRIDGE BUILDING,”’ C. R. Young, B.A.Sc. President Alexander in chair. The minutes were read and confirmed, and Mr. F. T. Grist accepted as a member of the Association. Corresponding Secretary Jenkins announced Mr. Hutt’s lecture on “‘ Civic Improvement,’’ to take place on April 16th. Mr. Lyman Lee introduced Prof. Young, who was received with applause. The lecturer traced bridge con- struction from primitive times down to the present time, showing that the present day magnificent structures are merely developments of the simple ones by which the natives of our western mountains crossed the gorges of the Rockies. After dwelling at some length on the Conway, Britannia and Victoria tubular bridges, the lecturer gave the leading bridges of the United States, from the famous Eades Bridge of the Mississippi to the most modern ones, some of which are still under construction, and finally referring to the Quebec bridge. A vote of thanks was moved by E. H. Darling, and seconded by Rev. J. J. Morton. APRIL 16, 1909. *“CIvic IMPROVEMENT,”’’ Prof... ue bute, A. Alexander, Esq., in the chair. The audience listened with great pleasure to an illus- trated lecture by Prof. L. H. Hutt, of Guelph Agricultural College, in which he gave some very valuable hints which, if acted upon, would greatly improve the appearance of our streets and dwellings. 22 REPORT OF RECORDING SECRETARY MAY 14, 1999. ‘HAECKEL: HIs LIFE, WORK, AND COMPANIONS,”’ Ist Vice-President, Mr. H. B. Witton. A. Alexander, Esq., in the chiair, The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and the meeting resolved into the annual meeting for the purpose of electing the officers for the ensuing year. Dr. Morgan then moved the meeting back to a general _ meeting. Mr. H. B. Witton read a paper on ‘‘ Haeckel: His Life, Work and Companions.’’ Mr. Witton proved a remarkably profound thinker, and he showed in the course of a very interesting and instructive address the trend and growth of modern liberal thought. Rev. J. J. Morton moved a vote of thanks, seconded by Rey. E. J. Etherington. Jieke 2B Age AD), Recording Secretary Hamilton Association Treasurer’s Statement For Financial Year Closing May 13th, 1909. ASSETS. Value of Property, SAV -.-. cece ee eter re ereees Arrears in Fees, Say...++-+-+0- Insurance Unexpired ..-.++ eee eres tceese cece cea aie kitetes Sats nis Rieteze Rrotoke rece arma ent ace See ? LIABILITIES. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE. Printing ...-+.-.02 ye igen bo iecer ies iaunaty chev cnet TCT Ee cls ors Screech Coane sires hnie a ianekein omminienenigies Caretaker ....sscccs eres c eee tseees Hore elsismieies RREPAitS 265-2 open ee es Meitenen Surpius of Assets over Liabilities... cee eeseeeee $2,000 00 25 00 12 00 27:26 $2,064 26 — $ 331 50 97 50 21 50 6 53 —_—_— $ 457 03 $1,605 03 Pp. L. SCRIVEN, Treasurer. 23 Report of Geological Section To the President, Officers and Members of the Hamutton Association :— The Geological Section of Hamilton, in presenting this, the Annual Report, wish to place on record the high appreciation of the work accomplished on behalf of the Sec- tion by the veteran collector and curator, Col. C. C. Grant. His efforts on behalf of the Section have been unceasing, and he has accomplished much, not only asa paleontologist and geologist of this vicinity, but his observations as a topographist are valuable, inasmuch as he has directed the attention of the property owners on the lake shore to the inroads made annually upon their possessions by the elements. His notations respecting the shitting of the shore line should lead to definite and concerted action by the owners to resist in some degree this encroachment upon their property. The Geological Section has made considerable progress during the season. A number of large specimens have been sent to different parts of the world, embracing Grap- tolites, Bryozoons, Lamellibranchs, Corals and Sponges, etc. The British Museum of Natural History has received a large number which have been duly acknowledged by Prof. Long, also the Dublin Museum, Ottawa Museum, and Albany Museum. Some of these specimens are new to science. Correspondence has been received from Ottawa stating that they were having new cases made and a re- arrangement of the specimens from Hamilton. There have been added also to the Hamilton Associa- tion Museum quite a number of fossil sponges and sponge 24 z REPORT OF GEOLOGICAL SECTION 25 sections, graptolites, fucoids and bryozoous. The Palzozoic Sea has been most liberal in its deposits as regards the Niagara fossils, especially of the graptolite variety, which have been found in great abundance in this vicinity, also many other varieties of animal remains which makes this a desirable field for the fossil collector. It is to be regretted that circumstances do not allow a better accommodation for making a proper display of the geological specimens now in our Museum; and should the opportunity ever occur so that the Section could be alloted a room to be devoted exclusively to the work pertaining to the Section and for Museum purposes where the different genera,species,families, and varieties could be displayed in a manner worthy of this most important branch of science, it would be most advantageous. ‘here are far too many specimens crowded together in small spaces, which, if properly distributed, so as to be seen to best advantage for scientific study, would cover eight or ten times the area now allotted to them under the present conditions. The meetings which have been held during the past session have been made more interesting by the large num- ber of specimens exhibited in order to illustrate the writer’s papers entitled ‘‘ The Late Collecting Season.” The Museum has been kept open on Saturday after- noons, and the Curator has been most attentive and cour- teous to visitors, interesting them by short sketches of the history and habits when in life of the specimens under - observation. The visitor's book shows that quite a number take advantage of the opportunity thus afforded them to study the Zoology of Palzozoic times. There have been four meetings held at which papers of interest were read. It is to be regretted that a greater number of the members of the Association do not avail themselves of the privilege which is theirs to attend these meetings and encourage by their presence those who have for more than twenty years been constant in their attend- 26 REPORT OF GEOLOGICAL SECTION ance, and by their efforts have kept the Section alive, and who have sent broadcast the result of its labors in the way > of fossil specimens. Specialists now know where to send to obtain new material for investigation, identification and research. Following are the papers and dates when read : Nov. 27th, 1908. Notes on the Late Collecting Season, by Col. C. C. Grant. Jan. 29th, 1909.—Notes on the Late Collecting Season, by Col. C. C. Grant. Feb. 26th, 1909.—Science and Theology, by Col. C.C. Grant. April 1st, 1909.—Science and Theology (Continued), by Col. C. C. Grant. AE NETL, Chairman and Secretary. Report of Astronomical Society The reorganization of the Astronomical Section as contemplated in the last report was carried out last fall with very gratifying results, although it is to be regretted that this involved the organic separation from the Hamilton Association. . The formation of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, with the object of uniting the scattered indepen- dent bodies and to obtain that concentration of effort so necessary in the study of Astronomy, and also to make the Dominion Observatory of more general service to the public, offered an epportunity to the Hamilton Astronomi- cal Society which could not be disregarded. Accordingly the Astronomical Society ceased to be a section of the Hamilton Association, and is now the Ham- ilton center of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Apart from the sentiment which all well-wishers for a a greater Hamilton Association must feel in the loss of a section, it is satisfactory to know that other than in name the Association will not likely be the loser by this. separa- tion. Nearly all, if not all, of the members of the Astro- nomical Society will retain their membership in the Association, and in addition it will derive a small income from the rent of its rooms, and other conveniences, which | the new Astronomical Society have made arrangements to continue to use. In thus saying farewell as a section, we now as a sister society desire to assure the Hamilton Association that you have our best wishes for the future, and that as in the past we have worked harmoniously side by side, we may long continue to do so in our efforts to promote the study of scientific subjects in the City of Hamilton. G. PARRY JENKINS, BH. H. DARLING, President. Secretary RA S.C. Hamilton, May 12, 1909. Hamilton Center, 2 27 Report of Camera Section The Camera Section during the past year has shown considerable activity and progress. The Saturday afternoon outings inaugurated last summer proved to be a splendid success, and were the means of securing very many fine photographs. Among the places visited by the club are Bronte, Oakville, Burlington, Flamboro, and the Valley Inn district. The annual outing on Victoria Day to the Forks of the Credit, though not very largeiy attended, was a very enjoyable one, and some good pictures were obtained. Tie Section held a print exhibit in the early fall, which was styled “‘ Back-yard Photography.’’ The pictures shown were of much merit, and demonstrated that there are many fine subjects to be gotten in a back yard. The annual Print Exhibition will not be held till the coming fall, when it is thought the members will be better able to make a good exhibit after the summer work. It was found that the fall was better suited to the convenience of the majority of the members for time in which to pre- pare their work. Our practical work by the advanced members and out- side demonstrators has been of much help to the younger members during the winter season. The Club is now in possession of a fine Album, which is kept on the table, and in which there has been placed many beautiful photos secured at the outings last summer. Several improvements have been made to the Club rooms during the year, such as papering, installing gas, re- modelling of the enlarging lantern, etc., which has made our quarters more up-to-date. 28 7 REPORT OF CAMERA SECTION 29 There has been a goodly number of new members received into the Club, and with the energetic officers con- ducting the affairs of this section we anticipate a very suc- cessful season’s work. The Club has decided to enter the American Lantern Slide Interchange, and this will no donbt be the means of creating greater Interest in our work. The members have much appreciated the splendid efforts of our officers in their endeavors to advance the Club interests during the year, and from all present indications we have a very successful year ahead of us with increased interest and enthusiasm in the photo art. We. He: Secretary (pro tem). Report of Philological Section The Philological Branch has taken up the study of the International Language, Esperanto, and has been devoting all its time to the study and propagation of that language. In November last the members of the Hamilton Esperanto Club joined this branch of the Association in a body. There are eighteen paid up members, and a larger membership is anticipated for the next session. Our meet- ings are held each Thursday evening, in the lecture room of the Association, and are open to the public. We keep on hand a supply of text books and Esperanto literature, which may be had at cost price. Classes are conducted and instruction given to members free of charge. The Library Board has been approached with a view of having an Esperanto Journal and other literature placed in the library, and the matter is now under discussion. The following are the officers for 1998-09 : Hon. President, Dr. L. L. Zamenhof, Warsaw, Prussia. President, G. E. F. Smith. Vice-President, C. W. Baker. Corresponding Secretary, C. A. Penson. Recording Secretary, Miss Arline Penson. Treasurer, G. T. Moss. COMMITTEE: Miss Mabel Buchanan, R. B. Clark; Gordon Cattelle. 30 Report of Curator Since the removal of Mrs. Carey’s fine collection of Indian relics and implements from the City Museum to Dundurn, I regret to state we have acquired no specimens to replace them from the farmers in the neighborhood who promised to keep for us any Indian remains found on their land. A few minerals contributed by Mr. Kneeshaw, Hamil- ton, and a fine polished marble slab from Mr. Williams, caretaker, represent all we recently received, outside the Geological Section, which succeeded in collecting during the season many organic remains in fair preservation now in our upright cases and the long flat one near the door. The visitors on Saturdays are increasing, I think, lately. CHAS. COOTE GRANT, Curator. Some Things Applied Science Has Done For The Farmer. BY A. ALEXANDER, F.S.Sc. Read before the Hamilton Association November 20th, 1909. OT so many years ago, to be a farmer was to be a N peasant,and the occupation of farming was considered that of a man who had about as much knowledge in his boots as in his brains. But the day when a farmer might be regarded as a mere peasant is forever past, for a new spirit is abroad on the farm, and I believe this new spirit is destined in thirty or forty years to transform rural workers into a professional class drawing incomes at least double their present ones. You have all heard of the ‘‘ Abandoned Farms of New England.’’ I understand that these farms a short time ago could be had for from $20 to $40 per acre, while, if you travel to the West, or what our neighbors call the Middle West, you will find land averaging in value all the way from $150 to $300 an acre. This difference in values, Kast and West, at first sight seems preposterous, for we should re- member that the East is near the market with land “‘ that cannot be given away,’’ while the West, thousands of miles from its markets, holds its lands at prices unheard of in the records of this continent. What is the explanation? The usual answer, I suppose, would be that the lands in the East are exhausted, while those of the West are unexhausted. But if this answer is looked into you will find it is simple vonsense. About twenty-five or thirty years ago these lands in the West, say Wisconsin avd other States, were literally loaded down with mortgages—swamped. About 82 A. ALEXANDER, F.S. Sc. President, 1891-92-93-08. a ae SOME THINGS APPLIED SCIENCE HAS DONE 88 FOR THE FARMER - that time disgruntled settlers were streaming back from Minnesota and the Dakotas in processions cf tented wagons. What has wrought the transformation? Nothing more or less than the application of scientific methods in choosing seed aud adopting a system of ‘‘ Rotation of Crops ’’ so that the proper chemical proportions be maintained in the soil. The saine lands are now producing what means ten, twenty and forty per cent. on the capital invested. Where wheat used to be raised, now corn is raised, and where twenty-four bushels of shelled corn was what an acre produced, itis now thirty and forty, and even ninety bushels on the very same land. Scientific methods have literally lifted the mort- gages off these farms. Neither is it in the grain only, but also in stock, for in connection with the same university which has been teach- ing the young farmers howto raise phenomenal crops of grain and potatoes, they have in their Dairy Department a cow which produced 1,000 pounds of butter in one year, which, at thirty cents, would mean an income of $300. I presume this must be the cow whose sons and daughters were bought by Eastern fanciers for $5,00e and $8,000 apiece. The story of the development of scientific farming in the United States duritg the last thirty years, and the phenomenal results, is more like romance than sober truth ; yet itis true. To use a slang term, ‘‘ The goods have been delivered.’’ We ail remember how ‘‘ scientific farming,’’ so called, used to be ridiculed iu our own Legislature in Toronto dur- ing the discussions on the annual grant to the Agricultural Coliege at Guelph. And although we in Canada are not prepared to make the showing and reap the immense profits which our neighbors across the line can prove as a result of the application of scientific methods in the selecting and planting of the seed and in the preparation of the soil for its reception—it will come. 34 SOME THINGS APPLIED SCIENCE HAS DONE FOR THE FARMER Already a beginning has been made by establishing Experimental Farms, and Dr. Saunders, Director of the Experimental Farm at Ottawa, has produced an improved wheat called the Preston wheat—a cross between Fife and Ladogo wheat, and which is already proving a boon to our North-west. The scientific processes involved in the really wonderful results attained in the enormously increased yield of grain and other vegetable products, are those relating to the seed planted and the soil in which the seed is deposited. Great care is taken in securing high grade seed, and to secure this ‘‘ plant breeding ’’ or hybridization, and careful selection is resorted to to get the best possible seed grain. I have not time in a short address to describe what is meant by hybridization, but we have all heard of what Mr. Bur- bank of California has accomplished by this means, and of the wonderful new fruits and flowers he has produced. And then nearer at home we have Mr. Groff, of Simcoe, giving us new forms aud colors of that popular flower the Gladiolus. So also we have those zealous and unwearied professors in the Agricultural Departments of those great Western Universities securing wheat and other grains from far distant lands famous for their wheat growing, who after sowing them have watched the result, and if desirable quantities appeared the seed was carefully gathered and next year, perhaps. ‘‘ crossed’’ with some other desirable strain, and a grain, perhaps, superior to both secured. And even after this, when the resultant crop was ripe men may be seen going through the field gathering the best ears to be used as seed the following year ; and hence it is that as high as $30 a bushel has been given for pedigreed wheat. Further, practical science has had much to say about the soils, and the fertilizers, and the weeds, and the diseases. Has not the ‘‘smut’’ in oats all but disappeared from our fields ? SOME THINGS APPLIED SCIENCE HAS DONE 35 j FOR THE FARMER Formerly the farmer tilled _his soil, and planted his seed, and if it grew, it grew, and if it didn’t, it didn’t, and of course the failure was ascribed to ‘‘ the will of God.’’ To-day, if the seed does not grow, science wants to know if it was specially bred for a seed plant—if it was tested before it was selected—if it was disinfected before it was planted, and if it was planted in a soil which its nature specially needed. If the farmer says the soil is to blame, science has still more pointed questions and drastic remedies. The nature of the soil must be considered, for ‘‘ the ground is not a grave where death and quiet reign,’’ as one has said, but ‘‘a birthplace where the cycles of life begin anew to run their courses.’’ As I have already said, many lands grow only a crop of mortgages because the farmer persisted in planting wheat where nature had planned for corn. To-day these same lands are growing dank accounts because science has taught the trick of obeying Nature’s laws, instead of breaking himself trying to break the laws. In the counties bordering the great lakes, both in Michigan and Wisconsin, land which refused to produce either wheat or corn is making its owners rich in timothy and clover. If time permitted I might speak of how peat bogs and sand marshes have been utilized. I have already referred to the smut in the oat crop having been all but eradicated by scientific appliances. In one State alone one-fifth of the oat crop was lost annually from this pest. That one-fifth has been saved, representing $4,000,000, which went into the farmer’s pockets. The fact is, that outside the Agricultural Bulletins, the story of what science is doing for the farm is almost un- known, though the gain brought about by Applied Science in a single group of States in a single year would more than equal the capital of the great Steel Trust including the water in it, ' 36 50ME THINGS APPLIED SCIENCE HAS DONE FOR THE FARMER Have you ever thought of what the wheat and corn raised in the western part of this continent represents ? Why, the value of one year’s crop is greater than all the gold mined in the Klondike from the beginning until now. Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan can raise from So to 130,000,000 of bushels of No. 1 hard wheat, which, at 69 cents, means $78,000,000. The yearly total of the Klondike never exceeded $10,000,000. Tet me conclude this fragmentary story of a portion of what applied science has done for the farm by expressing a ~ strong hope that this Dominion of ours will be found in the forefront in this matter, and soon that in every Province there will be, not only an Experimental Farm, but in con- nection therewith a thoroughly equipped college PE endowed with money and land. There is danger that our great wheat lands of the North-west may be thought to be, as they are often spoken © of as being, practically inexhaustible. It is not so, and it would be well if we had the machinery ready to meet the condition likely to arise when a few more crops of wheat have been taken out of our great prairie and the other lands of our great heritage. Look at California, which years ago could raise forty and fifty bushels of wheat an acre. In later years her average dropped to twenty and less. So with many cther places that I could name. What is the explanation? Oh, sick fields. Science at once set about finding what made them sick. What did exhaustion of the soil mean? Time will not permit to explain the process of curing those sick fields. Suffice it to say that science found a way of :. restoring to the soil what it had lost. These are the sick fields that made the farmers ‘of the New England, a generation ago, abandon their farms and steer for the West, and now, when we think of what man has accomplished by careful research, first in the lab- SOME THINGS APPLIED SCIENCE HAS DONE 37 FOR THE FARMER oratory, and then in the open fields, by discovering the laws governing those subtle but all-powerful principles and forces which guide the life and development of the tiny grain plant, so as to be able to direct its energies and transfer them, if need be, into other elements, or combine them so that a better and richer reward comes to the faithful husbandman, we must, I think, not only gaze in wonder but feel a debt of gratitude to those patient men who made this possible; thereby doubling the food supply obtainable for the use of man and beast out of God’s rich earth. Diatoms. What They Are, and Where They Are Found. BY H. B. WITTON, SR. Read before the Hamilton Association November 20th, 1908. T the usual meetings of our Association we enjoy an interchange of opinion, on the subject matter of whatever paper is read. But at the first meeting for the season, the cathedra address of the President is wel- comed, without question or comment. That is the usual procedure in societies like this ; and is withal a courteous usage I shall not infringe. If I follow in the wake of our President, it is at his own request ; and I submit at his wish a short account of some forms of plant life, which if everywhere abundant, are not generally known, as they are too small to be seen without a microscope. Unicellular vegetable life is strewn all over the globe. There are countless myriads of such organisms. They exist in numbers the human mind can no more adequately imagine, than it can form an idea of the total sand-grains of the desert, or water-drops in the ocean. Vet for ages their existence was nearly unknown to man. But as they play, and always have played a notable part in the great continuous drama of life and death everywhere enacted in the world, they have claims on our attention. Among these multitudinous forms of vegetable life, none has had greater attraction for Naturalists than the DIATOMACEH. I speak of these organisms as of the vege- table kingdom, for that is the place in nature’s scale modern science assigns them. Still, for half a century 88 _ DIATOMS 38 it was a moot question whether they are animals or plants; and the echo of that dispute has but just died away. This may seem somewhat strange, as between animals and plants of the usual type, the difference is readily seen. Their respective characteristics are known to the most heedless. But with those objects whose life is confined to the limits of a single cell, biologists have been taxed to tell plant from animal. Their task to draw a sure line of distinction has been as hard as it would be to to put lines of separation betwixt the colors of the rainbow. After exploring the great circle of living beings, Linnzeus formulated the dictum that nature takes no leaps ; and discoveries since the days of the great Swedish naturalist confirm his saying, and extend its meaning beyond the limits to which he applied it. Many of these units of vegetabie life are self-moving, a faculty formerly considered to be distinctively animal. But numerous traits of these single-celled organisms are anomalous and equivocal. Common signs altogether fail in distinguishing monocellular animals from plants ; and the best tests for that purpose are difficult to apply, and are imperfect. To most men it is of but little use to know that an orgatiism is vegetable if there be starch in its cell; or if it evolves oxygen and absorbs nitrogen ; or if from the medium it lives in, it can take oxygen, hydrogen, nitro- gen and carbon, and can turn them into albumen and kin- dred compounds, without ingesting them in a stomach, In truth these organisms are so minute, and the tests sug- gested are so delicate, that we prefer to take on trust con- clusions as to their biological rank ; and are fain to know that whether we call one of these atomies zoophyte or phytozoon —animal-like plant, or plant-like animal—the marvels of its life-history in either case are the same. In 1868 Haeckel proposed to supplement the zoological nomenclature of that day, with a new sub-kingdom to be called Protista. Under that name he grouped all classes of 40 - + DIATOMS animated nature that are intermediate between the animal and vegetable kingdoms. in his novel system the Diatomaceze were assigned important rank. ‘The early teachers of natural history tcok no cognizance of these forms ; nor could they do so, from ignorance that such monads were in existence. Whien Linnaeus, in 1753, pub- lished his great System of nature, the Protista, for the most part, were unknown. After his class Vermes, with both candour and humour, Linneus grouped together all less known living things than those he had named vermes, and put them under the significant caption Chaos. Othon F. Muller, a Dane, was perhaps the first naturalist who left any record of the Diatomaceze. His notice is in his work entitled ‘‘ Animalcula Infusoria,”’ written not long before his death in 1784. So recent as 1825, but fifty species had been fonnd. But Ehrenberg’s work, ‘‘ The Infusionsthierchen,’’ printed in 1838,was the forerunner of such a new revelation regarding Diatomis, and induced so many able men of different countries to study them, that by 1860 Rabenhorst in his ‘‘ Freshwater Diatomaceze,’’ and in his ‘‘ Conspectus,’’ had recorded 4,000 species. Since the monumentai labor of Rabenhorst workers in various parts of the world have more than doubled the diatomaceous species known to him. Bailey, H. L. Smith, Edwards and others enthusiastically prosecuted the study of American Diatoms, an undertaking that was commenced by Ehrenberg. Their labours worthily rank with the work of William Smith, Kitton and many workers iu England ; and with that of Heurck, Schmidt and others on the continent. The Rev. Francis Wolle, in his ‘‘ Diatom- aceze of North America,’’ published a few years since, pointed out that at that date the ‘‘ Diatomacez of the World ’’ aggregated 8,000 species. His own work, which comprises 112 plates, gives 2,200 illustrations of 1,400 ‘‘North American Diatoms,’’ which are classified in DIATOMS 41 families aiid genera according to ‘‘ The Conspectus of the Diatomacez,’’ arranged by Prof. H. L. Smith, of Geneva, NY: While the botanical status of the Diatomacee has given rise to discussion, experts now generally regard them as an Order of the Cenfervoid Algz. They are found in both fossil and receit forms. Living species abound in both salt and fresh water ; and some occur in bogs, mosses and in damp earth. There are but slight differences between marine and freshwater diatoms, though peculiarities of both classes are persistent. The Diatomaceze are unicellular, and each individual Diatom is a delicate membranous sac which with its con- tents are enclosed in a silicious covering. This flinty sheil, frustule it 1s called, is in two parts, one often slightly larger than the other, fitting in part over it, and forming together a ininiature box of rare beauty. ‘The line of junction or raphe between the two parts of the delicate box- like frustule is protected by a band or hoop, and the whole is covered with an almost imperceptable gelatinous cover- ing. These silicious frustules are the prominent feature of the Diatomaceez, and with their slight attachment in some species, gave to Diatoms the older name of Brittle-worts. Skilled observers record that the frustules contain granular protoplasm, a nucleus—sometimes two of them—and a germinal dot from which minute threads have been seen to radiate, The frustules of Diatoms take many different forms, They are found in circular, rectangular, wedge-shaped, stellate, sigmoidal and navicular outline, besides endless other less regular shapes. Somefrustules are ten or twelve times the length of others; but the minuteness of all is cause for astonishment.