1880.] 237 



humbug " in entomological matters in the States. We welcome the re-appearance 

 of Prof. Riley, and think he has found an efficient colleague. The matter in this 

 " first " No. is sufficiently varied to satisfy all, excepting, perhaps, those who look 

 upon descriptions of " new species " as the end and aim. of all entomological publi- 

 cations. It is not our custom to analyze, or even to enumerate, the contents of 

 periodicals, nor do we intend to modify this custom in the present instance. But we 

 make one exception, and call especial attention to a communication from S. A. Forbes, 

 on "The Food-habits of Thrushes;" it is short, but it is suggestive from the point 

 of view of "applied Entomology," and " applied Orinthology." In order to obtain 

 the results, a considerable number of useful birds were evidently sacrificed ; but we 

 are no partizans of those misguided enthusiasts who seek to place prohibitive re- 

 strictions (and have to some extent succeeded) upon the utilitarian researches of 

 naturalists. We wish our resuscitated contemporary all success. 



South-London Entomological Society. — We have received the Report of 

 this Society for the year 1879, and are glad to find the number of Members is in- 

 creasing, and that the financial condition is correspondingly satisfactory. At present 

 there appear to be V7 Members on the list (including several well-known names), 

 and there is a solid nucleus around which to accumulate a good library. This Society 

 has always had our best wishes. It has held aloof from the dealing element, and it 

 holds equally aloof from the " mere collecting" element (as such). At any rate, the 

 address of the outgoing President (Mr. Standen) warrants this latter assertion, for 

 we have seldom (if ever) been aware of the promulgation of such broad ideas in the 

 presidential addresses of a local British Entomological Society. Succeeding presi- 

 dents will do well to follow in his footsteps. 



We are sorry to notice some apparently fond-lingering reminiscences of a certain 

 so-called " Great National Entomological Exhibition " that took place a few years 

 ago, and which was favoured by this Society, in lieu of the modest and useful 

 exhibitions it had previously encouraged. — Eds. 



Cambridge Entomological Society. — This Society held its 28th Anniversary 

 Meeting on February 6th, 1880, in Mr. T. D. Gibson-Carmichael's rooms, St. John's 

 College. 



In the absence of the President, the Vice-President Mr. J. Brown took the 

 chair. The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, and the 

 Treasurer's accounts (which showed that the Society's finances were iu a 

 prosperous condition) audited, the following officers for the year were elected : 

 President, Mr. J. Brown ; Vice-Presidents, Mr. Bansall, St. John's College, Mr. 

 Warren ; Librarian, Mr. R. Weldon, St. John's College ; Secretary, Mr. Hunter, 

 Jesus College ; Treasurer, Mr. Curtis, St. John's College. 



A plan of meetings and excursions for the ensuing year was then drawn up, and 

 has since been printed. There will be two meetings each term, and no less than 

 seventeen excursions are projected. It is much to be hoped that these will be ren- 

 dered more successful than of late, both by a more propitious season, and by an in- 

 creased attendance on these interesting occasions. — A. E. HuNTER, Secretai'y, Jesus 

 College, Cambridge : February, 1880. 



