352 

 REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL BRANCH. 



To the Cotcncil of the Ottawa Field XatiiraJists' Club : 



During th3 past season considerablo activity has been disjjlayed by 

 the members of the club connected with this branch. 



Owing to tlie character of the weather, during the summer months, 

 being exceptionally cold and wet, insects, genei'all}', were less abundant 

 than in the two preceding years. However, not a few rare species 

 were captured, and many additions weie made to the lists in the 

 different orders. Some of these prizes, it may be added, were captured 

 by collectors who had only taken up the study of entomology last 

 spring. It is thus shown that valuable results may attend even the 

 earliest efforts of any student. We are glad to welcome, as having 

 attached themselves to this branch, some of tlie younger members of 

 the club, and we trust that they will continue to prosecute the study of 

 our local insects with the same energy as has been displayed by them 

 this year. 



The sub-excursions, which have been so successful this season, were 

 well attended and afforded frequent opportunities for the entomologists- 

 to meet each other, ai:d mutually profit by the exchange of ideas and 

 comparison' of observations. At these excursions also several of the 

 best captui-es of the year were secured. 



Attention must be drawn to a few itenjs of general interest to this- 

 branch. Of great importance to Canadian naluralists is the fact that the 

 Abbe Provancher, one of the corresponding members of the club, has- 

 been able to resume the publication of his useful magazine, Le Natiira- 

 liste Canadien, which has appeared in an enlarged form, and of which 

 several parts have already been issued. Of s[)ecial interest to the 

 members of this branch is the recent purchase l)y the Government of 

 the magnificent entomological collection of Captain Geddes, of Toronto. 

 This is now being arranged for exhibition in the museum of the Geolo- 

 gical and Natural History Survey, where the cabinets will soon be 

 available for examination and reference. 



The adoption of the electric light, as a means of illuminating tlie 

 citv, has been attended with interestinsc results to entomologists. 



