We are happy to note a steady increase in the number of members. The Branch Soci- 

 eties, especially in London and Montreal, are progressing favourably. 



The funds of the Society are in a gratitying state ; by economical management we have 

 been enabled to sustain and successfully carry out all the operations we have undertaken ; for 

 details we refer to the report of the Secretary-Treasurer. 



The Library has been enriched by a number of valuable scientific works, and others of 

 more general interest, but which bear on Entomological subjects. Among the additions we 

 may mention the Encijdopedia Brilannica, as far as at present published, which will prove 

 invaluable as a means of reference. Our stock o engravings and electrotypes has been 

 lU^htly increased, but in this line we are greatly restricted by want of means, and are obliged 

 generally to content ourselves with electrotypes of other illustrations. We believe that a 

 much larger sum than is annually given for this purpose might be profitably expended in pro- 

 curing original illustrations. 



Submitted on behalf of the Council by 



Joseph Williams, 



Secretary- Treasurer. 



The President read his annual addre.ss, which received a vote of thanks. Rev. R. 

 Burnet, in seconding the motion of vote of thanks, took occasion to speak highly of the 

 value of the labours of Mr. Saunders, and suggested that his address appear in the daily 

 papers as well as in the Annual Report, which was approved of 



ANNUAL ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT. 



Gentlemen, — At the close of another year it is my duty and privilege to offer you 

 a few remarks relating to our progress as a Society, and also to the general advancement 

 of that department of natural science in which we all feel so deep an interest. 



The progress of the Entomological Society of Ontario during the past year has been 

 steady and continuous. Every season witnesses an infusion of new blood into our ranks, 

 mainly from among the young, who, when entering on the pursuit of this charming study, 

 bring with them all the enthusiasm and ardour of youth. Our membership is thus grad- 

 ■uilly increasing, and our influence and sphere of usefulness yearly extending. The im- 

 portance of the study of Entomology is gradually becoming more deeply impressed upon 

 Slifc- public mind. The Entomologist needs no longer to apologize for the trivial character 

 of his pursuits, for small and apparently insignificant as the operations of the individual 

 destructive insect may appear, yet when multiplied, as they usually are, by millions, their 

 work is so disastrous and so desolating that the study of their life and history, with the 

 view of combatting more eflfectually their enormous increase, becomes of the most vital 

 importance. 



We have to note the prevalence during the past year of several insect pests. Early 

 hi June our gardens, orchards, and even our forests in the western portion of Ontario were 

 frightfully devastated with the Forest Tent Caterpillar, Clisiocampa sylvatica. Tiiere were 

 millions u])on millions of them, and so enormous were their numbers, and so persistent 

 their attacks, that after fighting them bravely for a week or two, many ga\'e up the contest 

 in despair, weary of the slaughter. Many an orchard was rendered bare and leafless, and 

 in some instances the woods were so void of foliage as to remind one of winter. This 

 was particularly the case about London, and our orchards and gardens here were saved 

 from destruction only by the most persistent eflbrt. For several weeks caterpillars were 

 swarming everywhere, so that the timid scarcely dared venture out under the shade of 

 trees for fear of bringing them home on their clothing or persons. By the end of June 

 tiiey had nearly all become chrysalids, and it was interesting to observe the strange look- 

 aig deformities they occasioned among ornamental shrubs and flowers bj' twisting the 

 Staves into suitable forms in wdiich to enclose their cocoons. On the trees tiie few frag- 

 ments of le.aves remaining were put to a similar ptirpose, and thus .sewed up an<l hangin" 

 pendant with ihn weight of sometimes two or three cocoons huddled together, they looked 

 very odd. 



