XXXIV rROCEEDINGS OP THE 



The following papers were read, viz. : — 



1. " The phenomena of Protective Mimicry, and its bearing on the 

 theory of Natural Selection, as illustrated by the Lepidoptera of the 

 British Islands," by Raphael Meldola, F.C.S. Communicated by 

 A. G. Butler, Esq., F.L.S. 



2. " An attempt towards a Systematic Classification of the family 

 Ascalaphidce," by Robert MacLachlan, Esq., F.L.S. 



May 24th, 1871. 



Anniversary Meeting, 



George Bentham, Esq., President, in the Chair. 



This day, the Anniversary of the Birth of Linnaeus, and the day 

 appointed by the Charter for the Election of Council and Officers, 

 the President opened the business of the Meeting with the following 

 Address : — 



Gentlemen, — 



Having now for the tenth time the honour of addressing you from 

 this Chair on the occasion of your annual gathering, it has been my 

 wish to lay before you a general sketch of the progress making in 

 Systematic Biology, the foundation upon which must rest the theo- 

 retical and speculative as well as the practical branches of the 

 science, to report upon the efforts made further to investigate, esta- 

 blish, and extend that foundation, and to convert the numerous 

 quicksands with which it is beset into solid rock. This subject 

 formed the chief portion of my Address of 1862, and again of those 

 of 1866 and 1868 ; but on the present occasion I have had some 

 difficulties to contend with. Mr. Dallas, to whose kindness I owed 

 the zoological notes I required, has now duties which fully absorb 

 his time ; and I have been obliged to apply to foreign correspondents, 

 as well as to my zoological friends at home, for the necessary in- 

 formation. They have one and aU responded to my call with a 

 readiness for which I cannot too heartily express my thanks * ; and 



* The gentlemen to whom I am more especially indebted for the useful 

 memoranda they have transmitted to me are : — Dr. Liitken, through Dr. Lange of 

 Copenhagen, for Denmark ; Dr. Andersson and his zoological colleagues at 

 Stockholm for the Scandinavian peninsula ; M. Trautvetter, and through him 



