42 THE entomologist's recokd. 



having objected to a full ballot, a strong contingent of the members 

 outside the Council, and a minority in the Council, meant that every 

 candidate should be elected by ballot, and there were thus two camps, 

 perfectly friendly otherwise, but determined to exert their influence 

 against one another to reach justifiable ends. This accounted for the 

 strange faces, this explained the smothered excitement, although there 

 was to be a full ballot, the original Council majority having rescinded 

 a former resolution, its position being untenable. The first trial of 

 strength took place over the election of the Vice-Presidents, Messrs. 

 Jenner Weir and South were the Council's nominees, a fact carefully 

 noted on the ballot-papers, whilst Mr. Fenn was the choice of the out- 

 siders. Mr. Weir's election was deservedly a foregone conclusion. 

 This intelligent lepidopterist was in touch with everybody, but would 

 Mr. Fenn or Mr. South win ! Just before the voting commenced, a 

 most amusing scene occurred. One of the officials got up to make an 

 explanation, and began : — " When you strike out Mr. Fenn's name " 



shouts of derisive laughter making him speedily conscious of 



how the '•' whip " (which he had probably received) had acted on his 

 mind. The voting took place, and when the scrutineers appeared, the 

 troubled look on one face showed that something serious had 

 happened. It was soon explained. There was a tie. Mr. Weir had 

 practically been supported by every one, whilst the other nominee of 

 the Council (Mr. South) had only just tied Mr. Fenn, thus showing 

 the wisdom of those who pulled the strings in bringing up their re- 

 serve forces. The election was soon settled by the President giving a 

 casting vote and declaring Mr. South (as the Council's nominee) duly 

 elected. Mr. Fenn endorses this decision, having simply come to poll to 

 test the power of members to oppose, if they think right, the Council's 

 choice. A " moral victory," as people say in politics, when they are 

 fairly and squarely beaten, had been won by the outsiders. The elec- 

 tion of Council was the next proceeding. Here was another question. 

 Messrs. Auld and Henderson had been selected to contest the elec- 

 tion against the nominees of the Council, of whom three stood well 

 to the front. Mr. Carrington was a well-known supporter of the new 

 Bye-laws, which no one understands, and Mr. Hawes suffered from 

 being Mr. Carrington's nominee. There is another member of the 

 Council, who shall be nameless, who is bound to provoke keen oppo- 

 sition among the small but previously all-powerful section of the 

 Society, and it was certain that, although a Council nominee, these 

 kind friends would "go" for him. The rest of the members were 

 safe. The result justified all expectations. Mr. Tutt figured with 43 

 votes, Mr. Henderson 39, Mr. Carrington 38, Mr. Hawes 37, Mr. Auld 

 33, showing that the vials of collective wrath had been poured out on 

 these five heads. Mr. Hawes and Mr. Auld therefore, one on each 

 side, had to go, whilst Mr. Henderson gets a place, numbers proving 

 how well balanced the sides were. The combined votes against 

 Messrs Tutt, Henderson and Auld give an average of 2o| each ; and 

 against Messrs. Carrington and Hawes 2\\; coupled with the election 

 of Vice-President this proves the equality of the two parties. It is 

 often said that large numbers of entomologists take up that science 

 as a recreation. Here is a chance for them ! They can play at 

 science, and obtain their recreation in one of the most comfortably 



