n 



t Canadian d^ntomoloabt. 



VOL. VIII. LONDON, ONT., JANUARY, 1876. No. 1 



ANNUAL ADDRESS 



OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO, "1875. 



To the Members of the Entomological Society of Ontario : — 



Gentlemen, — For the fifth year in succession I find myself called 

 upon, as your President, to address a few words to you on the condition 

 of our Society, and on the subject of Entomology in general. 



With regard to the Society, you have already learnt from the satis- 

 factory Reports of the parent organization and its various Branches, that 

 it continues to go on prospering in a quiet, unostentatious way. While 

 there has been no marked increase to our list of members during the past 

 year, and no performance of any work of unusual importance, yet it is a 

 matter of congratulation that we have no falling off either in numbers or 

 resources to deplore. Much of the inactivity in Entomological matters 

 that has been apparent in this country during the past year may no doubt 

 be ascribed to the prevalent " hardness of the times," which has 

 occasioned — even to those least affected by it — much anxiety of mind, 

 conjoined very often with increased absorption in the cares of business 

 or in the labours necessary for obtaining a livelihood. As you are well 

 aware, we have in Canada but very few persons of assured wealth, who 

 are able, as in older and richer countries, to devote their abundant leisure 

 to literature, art or science. Consequently the condition of things in the 

 world about us deprives most of our members of the leisure, if not also 

 of the inclination, requisite for the successful pursuit of Entomology in 

 any of its various phases. Before another winter opens upon us, however, we 

 have reason to believe that the worst of the present financial storm will 

 be over, and that renewed confidence and prosperity throughout the 

 country will remove the gloom and dulness now oppressing almost every 

 department ot work among us. With a revival of business, we may 

 assuredly look for a restoration of activity in scientific pursuits, and hope 

 that our Society, in common with others of a kindred character, may be 

 distinguished by large accessions to its numbers, and by increased work 

 in all its departments. 



