THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST 



In Entomology he was especially interested and formed a 

 collection of Coleoptera of the Province, and it was through his 

 interest in this branch of natural history that attracted the writer 

 to him and that led to a warm friendship. My first acquaintance 

 with him was made in 1858 at meetings of the Canadian Institute 

 which I attended as a junior member when a student at Trinity 

 College. Professor Croft treated me with the utmost kindness 

 and helped and encouraged me greatly in the study of Entomology. 

 Through him also I came to know the late Dr. William Saunders, 

 Director of the Experimental Farms of the Dominion, who was a 

 life-long and deeply esteemed friend. 



In 1862 our devotion to the collection and study of insects arose 

 to such a height that we thought the time had come for drawing 

 together all those in Canada who were of similar tastes and forming 

 a society for mutual help and encouragement. Professor Croft 

 warmly approved of the scheme and, through his influence and 

 that of his colleague, Professor Hincks of the Botanical Depart- 

 ment, the Society was duly launched in the spring of 1863. 



The following account is given by Mr. King in his memoir: — - 

 "Professor Croft was very honourably identified with a Society 

 which was brought into existence chiefly through his instrumen- 

 tality, and whose laudable objects are closely associated with the 

 progress of skilled husbandry everywhere, namely, the Entomo- 

 logical Society of Ontario. He was the founder, or at least one of 

 the founders, of this Society; the first meeting of its originators 

 was held at his residence, and its present standing and widely 

 acknowledged usefulness are largely due to his fostering care, 

 warm advocacy, and powerful support. In disseminating informa- 

 tion in regard to the insect pests of the agriculturist and horti- 

 culturist, as well as to insects friendly to their products, the Society 

 has performed a work of vital service. Its admirable collections 

 at the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia in 1876, comprising 

 86 cases filled with thousands of specimens carefully classified and 

 named, attracted universal attention, and were far in advance of 

 any other exhibit of the kind in the whole Exhibition. The eco- 

 nomic worth of such collections can be estimated only by those 

 who have given some attention to the subject; they form a ground- 

 work upon which may be built up observations of great value, and 



