MONTHLY PROCEEDINGS. 



MR. CHARLES ^VILT. 



In 1859 a few friends met to cojisider the formation of an entomo- 

 logical society, and in response to the call Mr. Wilt was one of fifteen 

 who assembled. The organization was soon completed, and Mr. Wilt 

 became treasurer March 14th of that year, remaining in that position 

 until the close of 1863. 



For neai'ly a year the Society met at the houses of its members 

 until it was resolved that a library and cabinet would be necessary 

 to aid the members in their studies. The difficulty of finding a home 

 for the Society was solved by Mr. Wilt, who placed at its disposal 

 the large saloon-room of his house, then recently l>uilt, and from 

 Jan. 9, 1860, until August, 1862, these comfortable quarters were 

 occupied without expense to the Society, and in this room the first 

 volume of our Proceedings ^vas printed — on a small hand-])ress — 

 page by page. 



The interest taken hy Mr. Wilt in the Society increased with its 

 progress, and no one was more ready to respond to any call for per- 

 sonal or pecuniary assistance than he. While not an active student 

 of entomology he kept himself well advised in whatever related to 

 its progress, especially in the fauna of our country. His interest 

 was concentrated in the two orders Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, 

 and by liberal purchases and constant exchanges he accunuilated a 

 collection of the former order standing high in rank in our country, 

 while in certain portions of the Lepidoptera, the SphingidcU and 

 Catocalae, his series has but few, if any, superiors. 



His cabinet was at all times freely at the disposal of others, and 

 verv many of his friends were accustomed to use it in naming their 

 local captures. To those who desired the use of his material for 

 more thorough study he was especially kind in loan and gift, as it 

 has been my pleasure on many occasions to testif\\ 



Of the life of Mr. Wilt apart from his connection with our Society 

 very little need be said. With an early training to mercantile pur- 

 suits he continued in business until his death, ac(|uiring a competency, 

 which enabled him to indulge his love for entomology. 



Mr. Charles Wilt was born June 12, 1821, and died April 3, 1886. 



Geo. H. Horn, M. D. 



