are not tew. The objects; of our inquiry are within the reach of 

 every one. It was, I think, St. Pierre who observed that several 

 hundred distinct species of insects visited a rose-tree placed in the 

 window of his study. And it was upon the leaves of trees growing 

 within reach of his window that Evan Webster Lewis, whilst lying, 

 even in the commencement of his career, upon a lingering bed of 

 sickness, — from which, alas! he rose no more, — made those interesting 

 observations upon Tinea Rujicapitella and Pimpla Stercorator, which 

 while they soothed his painful hours, proved how valuable would 

 have been his researches had he been spared to us. 



There are also, I grieve to say, other names of those departed from 

 us, who occupied the foremost ranks of our science, which cannot be 

 mentioned without a sigh. 



The merits of Cuvier, Latreille, Haworth, Guilding, and Say are 

 so well known to every one of my hearers, and so immeasurably be- 

 yond my weak powers to accordjustice to, that I dare not do other- 

 wise than leave this part of my subject in your hands. 



Indeed, it is time for me to conclude. Allow me, therefore, to 

 thank you in the first place for the attention which you have be- 

 stowed upon this lengthened address ; and in the second, for the 

 honour which yovx have conferred upon me by i-e-electing me to the 

 office of your Secretary. I could have wished that your choice had 

 fallen upon an individual possessing greater capaliilities than I can 

 pretend to. 



This much, however, I may safely affirm, that although others may 

 far exceed me in talent, I will yield to no one in point of zeal either 

 towards our favourite science or towards our Society as its organ. 

 Indeed, I feel convinced that no one, considering the great influence 

 which a Society, embodying the highest names of its students, 

 must unquestionably have in promoting the extent and welfare of 

 that science, will refuse to lay aside all trifling differences of opinion 

 and join me in my most heartfelt wish, not only that Entomology may 

 flourish, but also in the fervent exclamation, 



Floreat Societas nostra, esto perpetua ! 



PRINTF.D liV KirUAUD T \YI,OI!, 



riF.n i.ioN coDUT, ii.nF.T stuf.et. 



