was a good botanist, and while on pleasant walks he made Mr. Elvins acquainted with the various species of trees, and also introduced him to the use of mushrooms. Mr. Winder was the author of a book on the mushrooms of Canada. Besides this, he was well informed in astronomy and possessed a two-inch telescope. Mr. Elvins was allowed to use this and spent many pleasant hours with it.

With one or two other friends they used to gather informally at Mr. Elvins's house, 11 St. Vincent Street, and then in 1868 they put forward a proposal to form an astronomical society. Among others, they wrote to G. T. Kingston, superintendent of the Magnetic Observatory (1855-80), and to William Hincks. Professor of Natural History in the University (1853-71), and these both opposed such action, recommending affiliation with the Canadian Institute. Nevertheless this advice was disregarded and the first astronomical society in Toronto was formed. The minutes of this society are still preserved. On December 1st a meeting was held in the Mechanics' Institute "to take into consideration the propriety of forming a society for the prosecution of astronomical science." There were present: Mungo Turnbull. Andrew Elvins, Daniel K. Winder, James L. Hughes, Samuel Clare, Robert Ridgway, Charles Potter and G. Brunt.

On motion of Mr. Elvins, seconded by Mr. Turnbull, it was resolved

That a society be formed under the name of The Toronto Astronomical Club, having for its object the aiding of each other in the pursuit of astronomical knowledge; in order to which it is proposed:

I. To meet monthly at such time and place as may be agreed upon. II. To spend the evening somewhat as follows:

(a) Reading extracts from papers or publications of anything new or otherwise interesting, bearing on the subject of astronomy.

(b) Reading original papers connected with any department of astronomy.

(c) Examining anything new in astronomical science.

(d) Observing celestial objects if circumstances should favor our doing so.

(e) Conversation, etc..

Mr. Winder was made president and Mr. Clare secretarytreasurer. The meetings were held on the first Tuesday of every month at the houses of the members. By-laws for the Club were adopted at the first regular meeting, which was held on January 5, 1869, at Mr. Elvins's house. William Long was elected a member on March 2 and William Thompson on June 1. At the meeting on May 4 the name was changed to The Toronto Astronomical Society."

The society met regularly each month and reports of its proceedings were printed in Public Opinion, an English paper. The last minutes recorded are of the meeting on December 7, 1869. Looking over the minutes, I find that on March 2 Mr. Elvins read an elaborate paper on "The Moon-its Physical Constitution and Motions." In it he tried to explain libration without adopting the notion of a uniform motion of rotation on its axis. combined with an unequal motion in its orbit. "He contended that the different rate of motion between the nearer and more distant parts of the moon is the cause of libration in longitude; and that the sun's attraction changes the position of the major axis of the moon's elongated body, causing the point nearer the earth to be turned upward when the sun is above the plane of the moon's orbit, and downward when the sun is below that plane, causing libration in latitude." There was not time to finish the discussion, and an adjourned meeting was held two weeks later to consider the paper. At it (according to a note in shorthand) "the members generally took part, particularly Mr. Turnbull." Mr. Elvins enunciated his views in a long letter to the Astronomical Register in 1869, and an extended discussion on the moon's rotation ensued. He stated that earlier in life he had accepted the usual explanation, but had changed his views, and these he retained to the end of his life. The present writer more than once discussed with him the question whether the moon really rotated or not, but there was no change of attitude on either side. This is not the only case in which Mr. Elvins's views on matters involving

For a fuller account of the organization of the society and for information regarding its members, see this JOURNAL, 11, 47, 1917.

celestial mechanics were not in accordance with those ordinarily held by authorities in that domain, and it was due, I think, to his lack of training in the fundamental principles of that difficult subject. As another illustration, I might refer to a theory regarding the origin of comets, which, with disarming modesty, he propounded in the Astronomical Register in 1868. This also gave rise to an admirably conducted discussion, which, however, was not decisive in favor of the theory.

The other papers presented by Mr. Elvins during the year exhibited his enthusiasm and activity as an observer. He reported that after attentive scrutiny of the formations on the moon known as Messier and Messier A, he could not accept the statement that they had undergone a physical change, as some at that time contended. He also reported at length on the Zodiacal Light during the spring of 1869, on the Aurora of April 15, 1869, and on the August meteors; and along with other members of the society he observed the eclipse of the sun of August 7, 1869, the greatest obscuration of which at Toronto was 101⁄2 twelfths. It is worthy of note that Mr. Elvins, though evidently the moving spirit in the society, held no office, but, true to his generous nature, endeavored to have the honors go to the others.

As has been stated, the last record is dated December 7, 1869. Soon after this Mr. Winder returned to the United States, Mr. Clare's evenings were occupied in teaching, and the press of business combined to cause the work to languish. But the meetings were never entirely discontinued. Though the light often burned low, Mr. Elvins never allowed it to be extinguished. At one time the name Recreative Science Association was assumed.' Mr. Elvins used to recall a lecture which he heard about this time which afforded him especial pleasure. It was given by George

'On sheets of paper pasted in some numbers of Popular Science Monthly for 1872 the names of the members are given, in Mr. Elvins's handwriting, as follows: Dr. Brodie, Mr. W. Brodie, Dr. Cowdry, Mr. J. Cowdry, Prof. Ramsay Wright, Messrs. Pursey, Schnabel, Chub, Turnbull, Roberts, Foster, Carkeek, Elvins, Snarr, Armstrong, Marran, Best, Mosie. The magazine circulated amongst them.

Jennings Hinde, then a young man on the University staff. It dealt with the geological features of the Scarboro' cliffs, and Mr. Elvins was able to utilize the information gained when on his trips of exploration. In 1882 he met Mr. A. F. Miller, an enthusiastic and able astronomer, and somewhat later Mr. Miller introduced Mr. George E. Lumsden into the circle. Informal scientific meetings were held at various houses, but there was no fixed organization. Mr. Lumsden was Assistant Provincial Secretary and he proposed that they seek incorporation. In this I believe he was supported by Hon. G. W. Ross, the Minister of Education. In 1890 a charter was granted to The Astronomical and Physical Society of Toronto. The society owes much to Mr. Lumsden.10 Indeed, it was largely through his energy, ability and fine judgment that it was successfully launched upon its career. To him also is to be attributed the change of the name of the society to The Toronto Astronomical Society in 1900, and to The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in 1903.

Mr. Elvins had always been considered president of the old society without any formal election, and it was expected that he would be president of the new one. When it was decided to secure incorporation, Mr. Elvins, Mr. Lumsden and Mr. Miller called upon Mr. Charles Carpmael, the director of the Meteorological Service, to enlist his sympathy and to ask him to be patron. Mr. Carpmael expressed a desire to become an active member and at once he was made president, with Mr. Elvins as vicepresident. Mr. Carpmael was often absent from the meetings

"Hinde was assistant to H. Alleyne Nicholson, Professor of Natural History, 1871-74. Afterwards he was on the staff of the British Museum for many years. He died March 18, 1918. He was the first person to recognize interglacial deposits.

"Mr. Miller was preparing to observe the transit of Venus, which took place Dec. 6, 1882, and had sent his telescope to Foster, the optician, for some alterations. Mr. Elvins noticed the instrument there, inquired for the owner, and immediately sought him out and brought him into the little scientific company.

10Mr. Lumsden died on September 27, 1903, aged 56 years.

and Mr. Elvins took the chair. A little later, Mr. Carpmael became ill and decided to go to England. He wished to resign and have Mr. Elvins take his place, but the latter protested and the resignation was not accepted. Mr. Carpmael retained the position until his death, but Mr. Elvins acted as presiding officer. Then Dr. Larratt Smith was elected president, and thus it came about that Mr. Elvins was never formally made president of the society. In 1893, at the age of 70, life membership was conferred upon him, on which occasion the members vied with each other in expressing their high appreciation of his scientific attainments and helpful nature. For many years he was a constant attendant at the meetings and usually had an appropriate remark on the various subjects up for discussion, especially when they related to observations reported to have been made. During the last three or four years increasing infirmity prevented him from going out in the evenings, but he continued to take an active interest in the work of the society. Indeed, just three days before his death, the present writer received a telephone message from him inquiring when the next JOURNAL would be ready.

II.

Mr. Elvins's first telescope had an aperture of 1% inches and this he used for two years. Then he sent to England and obtained a 3-inch objective and an eyepiece, which were made into a telescope in Toronto. With this instrument he made many observations, especially of the sun, moon and planets; and with their surfaces and behavior he became very familiar. He was a keen cbserver and could give a precise and interesting account of what he saw. His drawings were very creditable, though not as finished and artistic productions as those of Keeler, Barnard and some others whose names might be mentioned. And yet he said his eyesight was not of the best, as he could never see more than six stars in the Pleiades.

He was also a persistent observer of the aurora. Indeed, within a year of his death he reported observations on one detected at 6.30 a.m. from his bedroom window. In 1869 Mr. Elvins