58 THE entomologist's record. 



The progi'ess of entomology was great in the 16th century. Pro- 

 minent among its followers were Linnaeus, Fabricius, Donovan, Latreille, 

 Hiibner, &c., but early in the present century the study of entomology 

 received a great impetus on account of the publication of so much 

 elaborate and helpful literature. Amongst its most eminent authors 

 were Curtis, Stephens, Westwood, Hewitson, Kirby, Spence, Guenee, 

 Zeller, Douglas, Say, Signoret, Doubleday, Newman, Stainton and 

 many others. The publication in 1815 of the Introduction to the Study 

 of Entomology by Kirby and Spence did more to attract popular atten- 

 tion than any book before or since published. It is said that when 

 Kirby and Spence commenced their task, the students of entomology 

 were few and far between, one in Norfolk, another in Hull, half-a- 

 dozen in London, and one or two more in other parts of Great Britain. 

 In the preface to their work, they consider that the general ridicule 

 with which entomology was then regarded, was the principal cause of 

 the neglect of the science, also the want of elementary works, such as 

 already existed on botany and kindred sciences. Curtis's translation 

 of Ftmdamenta Entomologice, published in 1772 ; Yeate's Institutions of 

 Entomology which appeared the year after, and Barbut's Genera insect- 

 orum, 1781, were the only elementary works on entomology. Con- 

 vinced that this was the chief obstacle to the sjDread of entomology in 

 Britain, Kirby and Spence resolved to do what was in their power to 

 remove it. At first their idea was simjdy to give a translation of one 

 of the many introductions to entomology extant in Latin, German 

 or French, adding only a few improvements, but hapiiily they decided 

 to attract the reader by relating the economy and natural history of 

 its objects in a most interesting manner, by not simply recording the 

 observations made by others, but by adding their own experiences 

 formed in no contracted field of comimrison. Indeed their observations 

 and knowledge of insect life cannot fail to be admired by all who study 

 their admirable Avork. The chapters devoted to insects beneficial and 

 those injurious to mankind, with the best means then known for the 

 encoiiragement of the one and the destruction of the other, were the 

 first steps in the direction of economic entomology, now become so 

 important. Whilst Kirby, Spence, and other writers were doing so 

 much to advance the study of entomology, the establishment of entom- 

 ological societies became an important element. England was the first 

 country in Eiirope which possessed a purely entomological society, the 

 earliest was formed in London in 1745, and was followed by several 

 others. The Societas Entomologica, established 1806, was the first that 

 published its transactions. It only lasted seven years. The Entom- 

 ological Club, founded 1826, limited its number of members to eight, 

 and is still in existence. On the 3rd May, 1833, nine gentlemen met, 

 viz. : — Messrs. Children, J. E. Gray, G. R. Gray, Hope, Horsfield, 

 Eudd, Stephens, Vigors and Yarrell, and resolved to found the Entom- 

 ological Society of London, and on the 22nd May the following year, 

 this society, consisting of 127 members, of whom 12 were honorary, 

 was constituted. It now numbers 252 Fellows, of which 8 are 

 honorary. The first meeting of the society was held at " The Thatchetl 

 House," St. James Street, May 22nd, 1833. The Eev. W. Kirby was 

 the first President. It has been applied to several times by the State 

 to furnish information and advice on insect depredations. The society 

 then appoints a committee of specialists to investigate the matter, and 



