216 [February, 187S 



economic entomology, in connection with the South Kensington Museum, resulting 

 in the admirably arranged collection that now forms so attractive a feature in the 

 Bethnal Grrccn branch Museum ; the first of a proposed series of Hand-books, ex- 

 planatory of this collection, recently appeared, in which he treated upon the Linnean 

 "Aptera," an unlucky title, as that Order is now as completely exploded as is the 

 Linnean system of Botany, still, the Hand-book is very useful, and must have cost 

 its compiler a vast amount of trouble. Last summer, when the agitation respecting 

 the Colorado Beetle created an unreasoning, and, to some extent, ridiculous, scare 

 in the public mind respecting that insect, resulting in the passing of a hasty Act on 

 the subject, Mr. Murray was selected to proceed at once to any locality in which its 

 occurrence was reported, in order to investigate the matter. 



Although it was as an Entomologist (especially as a Coleoptcrist) that Mr. 

 Murray acquired a wide and well-deserved reputation, it would be unfair to his 

 memory not to allude to some other branches of Natural Science at which he assidu- 

 ously worked. In 1866, he published a well-known work on the Geographical 

 Distribution of Animals, illustrated by a large number of useful maps. As a Botanist, 

 he for many years paid particular attention to the Coniferm, and published many 

 papers on them ; but his chief work in this department (which was to have been 

 published by the Bay Society) never appeared. In 1873, he made an expedition to 

 America, visiting Utah and California, we believe as repoi'ter on one of the gigantic 

 mining schemes, and, during this journey, he made many and valuable observations. 

 But his health apparently suffered, although it was only for a few months before his 

 death, which was somewhat sudden, that any serious symptoms manifested them- 

 selves. Mr. Murray was strikingly original, and, on several scientific points, held 

 opinions looked upon as slightly heretical ; somewhat uncouth in figure, and with a 

 countenance that rarely relaxed into a smile, he yet had a kindness of manner that 

 made him respected by all, and a fund of dry humour that told irresistibly upon his 

 hearers, although uttered with what almost amounted to an appearance of uncon- 

 sciousness on his part. 



At the Scientific Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society, his familiar 

 figure will long be missed. He was elected a Fellow of the Linnean Society in 

 1861, and, for some lime, was on the List of the Entomological Society, but he 

 rarely attended, and his name has ceased to appear in connection therewith for 

 several years. 



Entomological Society of London : \Qth, January, 1878. — Professor J. O. 

 Westwood, M.A., F.L.S., President, in the Chair. — Anniversary Meeting. 



The following gentlemen were elected Members of the Council for 1878, viz., 

 H. W. Bates, E.L.S., G. C. Champion, W. L. Distant, J. W. Douglas, Rev. A. E. 

 Eaton, M.A., E. A. Fitch, F. Grut, F.L.S., G. Lewis, R. Meldola, F.R.A.S., E. 

 Saunders, F.L.S., F. Smith, J. J. Weir, F.L.S., Prof. Westwood, M.A., F.L.S. 



Subsequently the following Officers were elected, viz., H. W. Bates, President ; 

 J. J. Weir, Treasurer ; F. Grut, Librarian ; and Messrs. R. Meldola and W. L. 

 Distant, Secretaries. 



Professor Westwood read an Address on the Progress of Entomology. 



It was moved by Mr. McLachlan, and seconded by Mr. Stevens, that the thanks 

 of the Society be accorded to Prof. Westwood for his Address, and that it should be 

 printed ; which was carried unanimously. 



It was moved by Mr. Dunning, and seconded by Mr. Fenn, that the thanks of 

 the Society be given to the other Officers : Messrs. Weir, Grut, and Meldola replied, 

 and the proceedings terminated. • 



