12 



We are not doing ourselves justice in neglecting these other orders to such a degree, and 1 ism 

 sure (if you will allow me to venture on a joke) that if the insects themselves could only es- 

 timate our labours at their true value, we should have them protesting against being ignored 

 in such a summary way. Besides, these orders are really of equal value with those we already 

 study. Packard places the HjTnenoptera at the head of the insect tribes, and I Ijelieve with 

 good reason. They outnumber many of the other divisions, and far surpass all of them in 

 the degree of perfection of their instincts. Many of the Neuroptera I consider not inferior 

 to the Lepidoptera in beauty, and their more humble compatriots, the Hemiptera and Orthop- 

 tera, though more sober in their tints, and fewer in number, enjoy the unenviable reputa- 

 tion of being more injurious to cultivated plants than perhaps any of the others. Here 

 then is a field still unexplored by us, full of objects of beauty and interest. Let us 

 enter, aud while extending our own knowledge, do our best to make the list of our 

 Montreal insects complete. 



Apart from these general recommendations, I wish to mention one or two things which 

 should particularly engage our attention. They are included under the first recommenda- 

 tion I have made, namely, that of close and patient observation of insect life ; but as they are 

 of especial interest to us, I speak of them separately. 



We all know that Pieris rapa sometimes produces yellow males, and in fewer instances 

 yellow females. Now, our worthy friend, ^Ir. Caulfield, has asserted that he fed certain 

 larvae of this species on mignonette, which larvae became at last yellow imagines. The ex- 

 periment is worthy of another trial, and if we each tried, and the assertion of Mr. Caulfield 

 turns out to be well founded, the fact would go a long way to establish the theory that the 

 colours of insects are influenced by the food plants of the larvae. 



Another fact we might be able to give to Entomological science this year. The Cater- 

 pillar of Saraia Columbia has not been described, and I should like some member of our So- 

 ciety to have the honour of first describing it. The food plant is supposed to be a shrub 

 growing in marshy ground — Rhodora Gdnadensk ; but I feel certain that like its cousins, 

 Polyphemeus and Cecropia, the larva feeds on several distinct species of plants. I once had 

 the larva, and know that it somewhat resembles that of Cecropia. having red tubercles on the 

 fore part of the body, but difi'erent in number and situation to those of the litter. I give 

 this as a hint to aid you in your researches. There is still another point which ought to in- 

 terest us this year. 1 expect that the Potato Beetle will make its appearance in our midst 

 before the close of the season. We must be on the look-out, and have the credit of giving 

 the public the first intimation of its coming. If it does not come this year, it surely will 

 next, for the Ottawa papers have announced its arrival in that neighbourhood, only one hun- 

 dred and twenty miles away. 



There are several very interesting topics now being discussed among Entomologists in 

 America, in which discussion we should try to have a share. The question of the dimorphism 

 of insects, — the question of the Graptas, in which Mr. Edwards is so deeply engaged — the 

 question of different forms of larva in the same species, as that of Datana Ministra — the 

 question of the distinguishing of the sexes in the larva state — and many others, are very in- 

 teresting in themselves, and perhaps intimate tons (though without proving Darwinism, in 

 which I, for one, do not believe), the way in which new species are elaborated in the grand 

 processes of nature. 



Before closing my remirks, I would like to glance at the state of our science in Canada 

 and the United States. It is advancing in every respect. In Canada it is still in what we 

 might call the prutttcal stage — the knowledge we have is being Applied, as far as possible, to the 

 promotion of agricultural interests. But in this respect there is a great advance beyond what 

 Canadian Entomology was a few years ago The annual reports issued by our Society for 

 the Ontario Government are of very great value to the people, and lend, though practical in 

 themselves, to the growth of the more philosophical departments of the science. Our journal 

 has grown from the little four page serial of a few years ago, to be an excellent periodical, and 

 maintains a high reputation everywhere. It is to bs regretted that the diligent pursuit of 

 business, so necessary among young people like Canadians, should interfere so much with 

 the pursuit of Natural History among them. Our fellow-eDtomologists in Canada can only 

 give their leisure to the study, and this alone prevents them from taking an equal position 

 with those of the United States. I very much wish to see some Canadian gentleman of talent 

 and leisure take up the study, or some Professor of our numerous colleges. 



