PROCEEDINGS OF THE TIIIKD ENTOMOLOGICAL MEETING 9 



" There would be advantages arising from a strong central society 

 covering the whole of India, as membership thereof would confer a much 

 greater prestige. Apart from the reading and discussion of professional 

 papers, such a society would inevitably interest itself in many problems 

 with which the State has to deal, and in which it would be advantageous 

 to obtain the considered opinion of such a representative body." 

 * * * * * * 



" Such an institution should be an entirely independent body, to 

 which Government can very well give an annual grant or subsidy in 

 return for the indirect advantages which the country would enjoy in 

 consequence of its estabhshment. We have in view an institution 

 ■whose activities would be mainly devoted to professional and technical 

 questions ; its existence therefore would be of great value in establishing 

 a standard of professional conduct and efficiency." 



The above extracts refer more particularly to a- Society of Engineers 

 but as regards general scientific work in India they will show you what 

 the Commission had in mind and I have no doubt that Government 

 would view with sympathy any real desire on the part of scientific workers 

 of any kind in India to form such societies and would perhaps assist 

 to some extent. I do not know, however, to what extent the formation 

 of an Entomological Society would meet the wishes and requirements 

 of entomologists in India, nor, I must confess, do I qmte see what would 

 be the functions of such a Society. If my scheme for centralization of 

 entomological work in India eventuates, such a Central Institute and 

 Service would fulfil all the ends of a Society as regards such items as 

 publications, collections, references and assistance generally to other 

 workers. Even as it is, our periodical Meetings provide ample oppor- 

 tunity for discussion of any problems and it is difficult to see how more 

 frequent or better attended meetings could be arranged in such a vast 

 country as India, nor is there any lack at present of facihties for publi- 

 cation in tliis country. If, however, any of you have any definite ideas 

 on this subject, we might discuss it informally one afternoon or evening 

 whilst we are all here and then, if any general agreement is reached, 

 it might be brought forward more formally during the Meeting. 



Another subject which might perhaps be discussed informally at 

 first is my scheme for the expansion of entomological work in India, 

 which you will find pubhshed in Appendix K of the Industrial Commis- 

 sion's Report. Copies of this Report are laid on the table for your perusal 

 and when vou have had time to go over it we might discuss that also one 

 afternoon or evening. 



Our former Meetings were both held under the shadow of the (Jreat 

 War which has now happily come to a close and which has affected our 



