U ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 



for our entomologists, and far from discouraging those who are engaged in such attrac- 

 tive studies, I would urge them to perfect their knowledge by careful observations on 

 the early stages of our lepidopterous friends and foes, so that they may make their light 

 to shine for the guidance of their fellow students. 



Next to the butterflies, the beetles have ever been the favorite prey of the budding 

 entomologist. Very numerous, varied in form and habits, yet easy to collect and pre- 

 serve, they yield themselves most readily to the formation of an attractr\'e and easily 

 cared for collection. The coleoptera have for these reasons been so thoroughly collected 

 in northern countries, that there remains, even in Canada, a very small percentage of 

 species not already known to entomologists. Even microscopic species from most remote 

 localities, with few exceptions, prove to have received a name and character — even if 

 the character may occasionally not be a good one, or sufficient to qualify the beetle for 

 the position in which it has been placed. Yet there remains abundance of work for our 

 coleopterists in the more careful collecting of the smaller species, and the preparation of 

 accurate local lists, and especially in the study of the early stages of our beetles, since 

 the complete life history of comparatively few species is known. 



"Among the yellow pumpkin blooms, that lean 

 Their crumpled rims beneath the heavy heat, 

 The striped bees in lazy labor glean 



From bell to bell with golden-feathered feet." 



— Lampriian. 



Of recent years more attention has been directed to the study of the hymenoptera, 

 and interest in these insects has been stimulated by the publication of several fine works. 

 The publication by Cresson of a synopsis of the families and genera, and a catalogue of 

 the described N. A. species has much facilitated the determination and arrangement of 

 collections, but species are being so rapidly discovered and described, that a new edition 

 will soon be necessary to make it conform to the present knowledge of the order. To 

 our younger members, who have not yet settled upon any special line of investigation, I 

 would strongly recommend the consideration of this order, to which my own attention 

 has been chiefly given for several years. The species are very numerous, more so even 

 than the beetles, and the habits of its members are of wonderful variety and interest. 

 From the bees, wasps and ants, with their well developed meatal faculties and their 

 highly organized family communities, we pass to microscopical forms of which a score 

 may develop in a single butterfly-egg. The study of these insects is most absor ing, and 

 inexhaustible fields of enquiry are open. It would be very encouraging to see more 

 students attracted to this order ; taking up special families, and by sustained and serious 

 researches aiding ia the elucidation of many perplexing problems. 



" Mist of grey gnats that cloud the river shore 

 Sweet even choruses, that dance and spin 

 ■Soft tangles in the sunset." 



—Laiiipman. 



Apart from the three orders to which reference has been made, there has been but 

 a meagre investigation of our insects, notwithstanding their claims to a due share of 

 attention. The diptera are numerous in species and individuals, of much diversity of 

 habit, and of great influence upon the bodily and temporal welfare of man. The order 

 is difficult to study for the very reason that so few have devoted their attention thereto, 

 but it affords scope for much original work, which cannot fail to be of great importance. 

 There are protably hundreds of specifs now in the collections of our members waiting 

 for some student to make them known to us. 



The neuroptera and pseudoneuroptera are less rich in species, but include some of 

 our largest and most striking inspects, such as the dra.^onflies. 



" Tti-day I saw the dragon -fly 

 Come from the wells where he did lie. 



An inner impulse rent the veil 

 Ot his old husk ; from head to tail 

 Came out clear plates of sapphire mail. 



He dried his wings ; like gauze they grew ; 

 Thro' crofts and pastures wet with dew 

 A living flash of light he flew." 



— Tenniison. 



