( H ) 



acquaintance beyond the limits of these islands, have latterly 

 taken to amassing varieties or local conditions ; the result may 

 be realised by an inspection of any one of our important British 

 collections. Whatever vagaries of variation exist, we know the 

 specimens belong to one and the same species. Let us take our 

 common Tiger Moth (Arctia caja) as an instance, and let us 

 suppose it is not a British, or even European, insect, and that 

 (say) ten or fifteen of the most prominent varieties come home at 

 various times, and from various localities, say in the Himalayas. 

 It would very much surprise me if ten or fifteen so-called new 

 species were not thereby manufactured, which might be avoided 

 if the exotic systematist had received an efiicient training as a 

 British entomologist ; or even if he did describe them, and give 

 them names, it would occur to him to suggest that, from analogy, 

 they might all be forms or varieties of one species. Very 

 unfortunately the majority of British entomologists never seek 

 to extend their knowledge further, and, on the other hand, those 

 who attend to exotic insects have too often not paid sufQcient 

 attention to home productions. 



In the foregoing remarks I have tried to show how, according 

 to my own views. Systematic Entomology, if conscientiously 

 pursued, should by no means be considered to consist in "species- 

 making." Nor should " mere museum work" deserve an implied 

 sneer. On the contrary, both can, and should, have an important 

 bearing on philosophical Natural History. 



It is not my intention on the present occasion to enlarge 

 upon the connection of internal anatomy, embryology, and 

 physiology with the systematic side of the subject. But it is 

 most certainly desirable that a systematist should not be ignorant 

 of the rudiments of these subjects, and in cases where the 

 disputed position of isolated forms is concerned, something far 

 more than the rudiments is required. Neither do I intend to 

 touch upon Fossil Entomology, a subject that of late has 

 acquired a vast importance from the recent discoveries of 

 Silurian insects. Furthermore, I do not intend to give an 

 analysis of the present position of Economic Entomology. On 

 a future occasion I may possibly take up one or more of these 

 subjects, for on one and all there is much to be said. 



I conclude. Gentlemen, by thanking you heartily for the 

 courtesy accorded to me during my first year of office as President. 



