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street, No. 728, proposed among themselves to form an Entomological 

 .Society, and to invite to the hou.se on the 22nd of the same month, 

 such of their acquaintances as would likely become members. Fifteen 

 persons attended, namely, Dr. Thomas B. Wilson, T. B. Ashton. Jas. 

 Ridings, George Newman, J. W. McAllister. George Hill, John Pear- 

 sail. Robert Jack, Charles Wilt. Louis Schneider. William Wolter,. 

 Henry Feldman, Thomas Cox, J. H. B. Bland, and E. T. Cresson. 

 This may be regarded as the first meeting of the Society, and since 

 then its meetings have been regular. It has been related by one of 

 the members then present, that he scarcely observed an individual who 

 sat rather retired at one side of the room, and who made only one or 

 two short observations during the whole evening. After the meeting 

 was over he was surprised to learn that this quiet individual Wcis Dr. 

 Thomas B. Wilson. This conduct was very characteristic of that re- 

 markable man. He not merely indulged his unostentatious and retir- 

 ing disposition, but doubtless he listened attentively and studied weil 

 the materials which were to compose the new organization. The 

 Society continued to meet bi-monthly, at the private houses of its 

 members until July loth, on which evening the meeting was held at 

 Druid's Hall, on the south-east corner of Market and Thirteenth streets. 

 and where the meetings were continued about six months. The objects 

 of the meetings were the exhibition of specimens^ the improvement of 

 the members in entomological knowledge by conversation, and also the 

 formation of private collections. No library and no museum for the 

 Society were yet resolved on. It was at length determined, chiefly 

 through the influence of Dr. Wilson, to collect a library of books on 

 Entomology, and a museum of insects, and Mr. Charles Wilt, one of 

 the members, very generously oflered to the Society, free of charge, a 

 suitable room for their accommodation, and also for the meetings. This 

 room was in his own house. No. 1310 South street, and the first meet- 

 ing was held there January 9th. 1860. This was an important event 

 for the new Institution, for now it had a permanent seat. Exertions 

 were made to furnish the room, and to procure cabinets for the books 

 and insects. The work of collecting entomological specimens now 

 began. Each member was emulous to contribute as largely as possible 

 to the common stock. Dr. Wilson had not attended the meetins:.* 

 while the Society contemplated no permanent establishment, but now. 

 seeing a permanence setnired and .suitable resolutions adopted, he en- 

 tered at once with all his devotion into the labors of the Society, and 

 contributed most liberally towards all its objects. Henceforth there 



