13 



have appeared during the past year ; but I feel that I ought not 

 to pass over without remark the vahiable contributions made to 

 Entomology in 1873 by Sir John Lubbock, who is both a Vice 

 President of this Society and a resident in the West Kent district. 



The most important work by Sir John Lubbock forms one of 

 the series published by the Ray Society. It is entitled a " Mono- 

 graph of the Collembola and Thysanura," hitherto very neglected 

 groups of articulata, but now happily so thoroughly dealt with, so 

 carefully described, and so accurately figured, that the study of 

 them is rendered easy. 



Most of the drawings for the anatomical plates have been 

 executed by Sir John himself. In addition, there are figures of 

 the species described, so lifelike that one has but to seek amongst 

 decaying vegetation, and catch a few specimens, then return to 

 the book, and in a few minutes their names are ascertained with 

 ease. 



The CoJJemhola and Thysanura are very instructive groups for 

 the consideration of the evolutionist, inasmuch as the structure 

 of their mouths is in a measure intermediate between the haus- 

 tellate and mandibulate forms of that organ in the articulata. 



As regards the natural position of these creatures, Sir John is 

 of opinion that they are not strictly insects, but that if the 

 divisions of the Articulata are represented by a tree, the Insecta 

 Arachnida and Crustacea might be said to form large branches ; 

 the Collembola and Thysanura also forming separate branches, 

 but smaller than the other three. 



The work is upon the whole a most welcome addition to the 

 literature of science. 



Another work produced by Sir John Lubbock during the past 

 year forms one of the "Nature" series. It is entitled the "The 

 Origin and Metamorphosis of Insects." Here in a crown octavo 

 volume, so cheap as to be within the reach of all, a complete and 

 well illustrated description is given of the metamorphosis of the 

 whole of the Insecta. 



The work is precisely of the class most wanted. Few students 

 of Natural History could read it without edification, and the more 

 general student may fi-om its pages obtain a vast acquisition to 

 his knowledge of the soundest scientific character. 



Gentlemen, I now vacate the chair, and in doing so have 

 heartily to thank you all for the cordial support you have given 



