4 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
THE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB OF LONDON, 
By Ricuarp Sours. 
AuTHouGH it is the oldest association of entomologists extant, 
the Entomological Club of London does not appear to be as 
widely known as it certainly deserves to be. Before, however, 
we consider the origin, progress, and present state of this Club, 
we will briefly review the history of kindred institutions in this 
country. 
Not only does England hold the honourable position of being 
the first country in Europe to establish a purely Entomological 
Society, but, as a matter of fact, no less than five of such 
societies were founded in London between 1745 and 1831, all of 
which preceded any continental society devoted to Entomology. 
I understand that attempts were made on one or two occasions 
during the latter half of the eighteenth century to start an 
entomological association, but with what measure of success I 
am unable to say. I have endeavoured to ascertain something 
definite about these reputed societies, but I can find no cireum- 
stantial account of them, and must therefore pass on to those 
about which something is known. 
The ‘‘Societas Aureliana”’ started into life in 1745; but 
very little is known to us of this society beyond the fact that it 
did exist, and that a disastrous fire destroyed its library and col- 
lections, and also put an end to its career in the year 1748. 
In 1806 the ‘‘Societas Entomologica” was founded in 
London, and seems to have been the earliest entomological 
society that published its ‘Transactions,’ the first volume of 
which was edited by Haworth, and was completed between the 
years 1807 and 1812. This society was broken up in 1818, and 
London had to wait until 1826 for the re-establishment of a 
centre around which her entomologists might gather. In the 
year last mentioned the ‘‘Kntomological Club” was formed for 
the purpose of holding social meetings at the residence of each 
of its members in turn. Although the membership was limited 
to eight, the Club seems to have enjoyed an exceedingly good 
time, for we find that in 1836 the property of the association, in 
the shape of insects, cabinets, books, &¢., was of such con- 
siderable value that 1t was deemed advisable to frame a Consti- 
tution, and adopt a Code of Laws. It is perhaps worthy of 
remark that for ten years this little band of entomologists had 
conducted the affairs of the Club solely by certain understood, 
but for the most part unwritten, regulations mutually agreed on 
between themselves. 
The ‘‘ Entomological Society of London”’ was inaugurated at 
the ‘Thatched House,’ St. James’s Street, on the 22nd of May, 
1834, when the following officers were appointed :— Honorary 
