engaged their serious attention, and that every effort would be made to aid the Commission in 

 its work. This season is being spent by these savans in especially studying the habits and 

 breeding places of the destructive Locusts of the West, and already they have made extended 

 observations, not only in the western territories of the United States, but also in some of the 

 adjoining portions of our Dominion. 



The Entomological Club of the American Association for the Advancement of Science 

 held its annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn., commencing on the 30th of August, when 

 many interesting subjects were discussed. An important paper was read by A. R, Grote. 

 Esq., of Buffalo, N. Y., on a new insect, destructive to the red and white pine trees, the 

 sources of our valuable lumber trade. From the details given of the work of this insect 

 we fear it may prove a formidable foe to the future gi'owth of our pine forests. Our 

 Society luis usually been represented atihese annual gatherings, but on this occasion, owing 

 to other pressing and unavoidable engagements, those of us who have usually attended 

 were prevented from being present. 



We cannot bett^er illustrate the recent progress made in Entomological science than 

 by referring to one department, namely, that of the study of our night-flying moths. This 

 has been greatly stimulated by the general practice of sugaring, by which immense numbere 

 of these insects have been attracted, and their capture in good condition made an easy mat- 

 ter. This practice in America was but little followed until 1874, when an English Ento- 

 mologist, Mr. Greorge Norman, visited Canada, and, after having faithfully carried out the 

 process of sugaring for a season, he published the resiilt of his Jabours and his mode of 

 operating, in our journal. His success was so unprecedented, and so many rare, or hitherto 

 unknown species captured, that collectors everj'wbere were induced to imitate his example, 

 and in the short time that has since elapsed an immense number has been added to the list 

 of known species, and our collections have been enriched by this means with an extensive 

 series of hitherto rare specimens. • 



Our monthly journal, the Canadian Entomologist, is still well sustained, its pages 

 being regularly filled with interesting and original contributions. Did time permit, I might 

 have occupied your attention at considerable length by referring to the many valuable points 

 brought out in these papers. I cannot, however, refrain from adverting to the contributions 

 of Mr. W. H. Edwards, of West Virginia, on the life history of some of our butterflies, in 

 which it has been shown that not a few of our so-called species are merely dimorphic forms of 

 other species, and attention drawn to the important influence of cold in modifying these 

 forms. By exposing the chrysalids to the influence of this agency by laying them for varying 

 periods on ice, or placing them in an ice house, some of these dimorphic forms have been pro- 

 duced at will, thus throwing much light on the causes of variation in species. 



1 would also call your attention to the many recent valuable additions to Entomological 

 literature in America, especially to the beautifully illustrated work of Dr. A. 8. Parkard, on 

 the Geometrids of North America ; to the continuation of Edwards' magnihcent work on 

 North American Butterflies ; to the learned and elaborate treatise on the Rhyncophora of 

 America north of Mexico, by Drs. LeConte and Horn ; to the excellent works of Prof. 

 Townend Glover, of Washington, on American Diptera, Orthoptera, and Hemiptcra ; to the 

 valuable reports of the State Entomologist of Missouri, and many other excellent works But 

 I must not trespass longer on your patience. Thanking you for your kind partiality in hon- 

 ouring me as you have done, 



I have the honour to be, 

 ' Yours very sincerely, 



Wm. Saunders. 

 London, Ontario, September 25th, 1877. 



The election of officers then took place, with the following resul' ^ : — 



President. — W. Saunders, London. 



Vire- President. — E. Baynes Rc<^d, London. 



Scci-etary-Treasurer. — J. Williams, London. 



Council. — Wm. Couper, Montreal; Rev. L J. S. Bcthune, I'ort Hope; J. Pettit, 



