( lxxii ) 



I must, gentlemen, again apologise to you not only for 

 the desultory and imperfect nature of these remarks on the 

 value of Entomology and entomological collections, but also 

 for bringing before you considerations that to most of you 

 are mere truisms, and ask you to excuse me by recollecting 

 the wonderful ignorance of, the delightful contempt for, 

 Entomology still exhibited in these so-called enlightened days 

 by the mass of the community. This renders it necessary 

 to iterate and reiterate again and again even the most 

 elementary considerations. 



If collections of insects are viewed as scientific instruments 

 it is at once seen that they are valuable in proportion as they 

 are complete, well-arranged, and accessible. I can say 

 nothing to-night as regards the latter two points, but we will, 

 if you please, consider the question of their state of com- 

 pleteness at present. 



If we compare the extent and condition of entomological 

 collections with what they were in the time of Linnaeus and 

 our own countryman Kirby about one hundred years ago, we 

 are justified in entertaining a feeling of satisfaction : the 

 progress that has been made, especially in the department of 

 exotic Entomology, has been truly enormous. 



Linnaeus, when towards the close of his life he published 

 in a.d. 1767 the twelfth edition of his memorable ' Systema 

 Naturae,' was acquainted with rather less than 3000 species 

 of insects, of which over 2000 species were European, less 

 than 800 extra-European. The number of species at present 

 extant in collections can scarcely be less than 200,000, and 

 may possibly be as many as 250,000, of which more than 

 four-fifths are exotic. Although we may feel proud of such a 

 result, this gives us no idea at all of the completeness of our 

 collections ; it justifies us in saying we have worked well, but 

 how near are we to the end of our task ? 



There are, it is quite clear, no data from which a direct esti- 

 mate can be formed as to the number of species now existing in 

 the whole world. Such calculations have been made, but are 

 not very trustworthy, for reasons that we need not at present 

 stop to consider ; but it may be said that the number of species 

 of existing insects, though eminently uncertain, is certainly 



