THE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB. 



163 



" The remainder of the Foreign Collection is at present dispersed 

 through eighteen drawers and one hundred and twelve boxes, and con- 

 tain a very considerable number of fine insects, generally in good 

 condition, although many of them are affected by mouldness which it 

 might be desirable should be (as far as practicable) removed before 

 measures are taken for disposing of them. The Committee do not 

 think it necessary at present to offer any estimate of the number 

 remaining, as that may probably be left until the Clnb may have 

 decided as to their disposal. It must, however, be observed that the 

 boxes are throughout interspersed with reputed, or recorded (although 

 doubtful), British species, which, in accordance with the resolutions of 

 the 16th November, should be carefully selected and removed to the 

 Curator." 



The Report then deals with the drawers and boxes, of which 

 there seems to have been over one hundred and thirty ; eighteen 

 of the former and forty-one of the latter were stated to belong to 

 Messrs. Walker, Newman, and others, "and of course held at 

 their disposal. Of the remaining seventy-four boxes which 

 belong to the Club, seventy-two are mahogany, double-corked 

 boxes of uniform make and size, about 18 by 12 in., and are 

 said to have cost, when new, eleven shillings each." It may be 

 observed here that forty-two boxes were purchased by the Club 

 in 1836, at a cost of £23 lis. ; twelve others in 1837, at half a 

 guinea each. In 1838, £10 0s. 6d. was paid for boxes. 



Following the reading of the Report, from which the above 

 extracts have been made, it was resolved — 



" That the several suggestions contained in the Report should be 

 adopted." 



" That the insects which have been selected be presented by the 

 Secretary, in the name of the Club, to the Trustees of the British 

 Museum. 



" Tbat the remainder of the foreign collection (after the removal 

 of the reputed British insects) be sold without reserve, and with as 

 little delay as possible, by auction at the rooms of Messrs. Stevens." 



" That some person be employed (previously to their removal) to 

 clean and in some degree to arrange them, and in concert with the 

 auctioneers to lot them." 



" That tbirty-six of the best of the boxes be retained for tbe 

 future use of the Club, and that the remainder of them be included in 

 the sale." 



"That Mr. Newman, Mr. Doubleday, Mr. Walton, and Mr. Mar- 

 shall are appointed a Committee to carry these resolutions into effect, 

 with full power to act in the business as they may think proper." 



The sale took place on the 2nd and 3rd days of May, 1844, 

 and on May 16th the members of the Club met at the residence 

 of Mr. Hanson, when a marked catalogue of the sale of the 

 Club's collection was placed on the table, and the announcement 

 made that the sum realised was £58 3s. 6d., from which duty 

 and expenses amounting to £14 5s. had to be deducted, leaving a 

 balance of £43 18s. 6d. 



