2 Actuals Entomological Society of America [Vol. IX, 



In the selection of the subject of my address I had as my 

 main motive the bringing of the entomologists of this country 

 into closer touch with a large body of entomologists who are 

 studying an infinite variety of problems in those widespread 

 territories of the earth's surface that together constitute the 

 British Empire. This more intimate acquaintance is desirable 

 for many reasons, but I will refer only to two of them. First, 

 our Society recently decided to extend its membership outside 

 the confines of North America and as a result a number of 

 British workers, which number I am confident will increase, 

 have been included on our membership rolls ; I wish to introduce 

 these members and some of their problems to you. Secondly, 

 it is becoming increasingly apparent that the control of insect 

 pests and the successful prosecution of entomological investiga- 

 tion, be it along practical or purely scientific lines, must be 

 along international lines. Our experience, especially during 

 recent years, has clearly demonstrated this fact, particularly 

 in regard to the control of insects by their natural enemies. 

 From the time when Koebele visited Australia in 1885 and 

 brought the now famous Coccinellid Novius cardinalis to save 

 the citrus groves of California from destruction up to the 

 recent world tour of Silvestri in search of parasites of the fruit- 

 flies, we have had repeated instances of the incalculable value 

 of international co-operation; but it would involve too great 

 a digression to mention even the more important of these. 

 In this line of investigation alone there lie immense possibilities 

 which will be made more easy of realization to the benefit 

 of all concerned by a more intimate knowledge of other workers 

 and their problems in other parts of the world. Such a review 

 as I propose to give will, I feel confident, show clearly how the 

 British Empire by its widespread character and diversity of 

 conditions of every kind, offers an unequalled opportunity 

 for international co-operative effort, particularly to the Ento- 

 mologists of the United States. The establishment of a chain 

 of workers in all the continents which would result from such 

 ■co-operation would have beneficial results of the most far 

 reaching character on the entomological work of the future. 

 If I am able to further the object to which I have referred, 

 I shall consider that the time I am about to take up has indeed 

 been well spent. 



