( Ixxx ) 



It is now not for short of a quarter of a century ago that the 

 idea of a book of reference in Zoology, published in English, was 

 started. This culminated in the appearance of the first volume of 

 the Zoological Record in 1865, dealing with the literature for 

 1864, under the editorship of Dr. Giinther, and published at his 

 own risk by Mr. Van Voorst. Of the advantages of a book of 

 reference in our own language there could not be two opinions, 

 but the public did not respond as it was considered they would 

 have done, and at the end of the sixth volume the enterprising 

 publisher, after sustaining considerable loss on the venture, 

 abandoned it. However, an association was form — the Zoological 

 Record Association — with Mr. Stainton as Secretary, for its 

 continuance. Professor Newton succeeding Dr. Giinther as 

 Editor. By means of grants, liberal donations, and an annual 

 call on the members of the Association, it has continued down 

 to the present, the Record for 1885 having appeared last 

 month. After the publication of the volume for 1872, Mr. E. 

 C. Rye replaced Professor Newton as Editor, and, on the 

 death of the former in 1885, the vacancy was filled by the 

 appointment of Prof. F. Jeffrey Bell. In the first five volumes of 

 the Zoological Record the entomological portion was compiled 

 solely by Mr. W. S. Dallas. In vol. vi. (1861)) the subject was 

 subdivided under various recorders, and in it I undertook the 

 Neuroptera and Orthoptera, which I have continued down to the 

 volume just published. From vols. viii. to xv. inclusive the 

 subject was done by Mr. Rye, Mr. W. F. Kirby, and myself; 

 from vols. xvii. to xxi. Mr. Kirby compiled all excepting the two 

 orders continued by me, and substituting the name of our new 

 President for that of Mr. Kirby the remark applies equally to 

 vol. xxii. After seventeen years of service I consider I have 

 earned my right to retire ; Dr. Sharp will in future probably 

 furnish the portions hitherto supplied by me. In the Record for 

 1876 a new system of pagination was commenced, each broad 

 division being paged separately, and this plan has continued. 

 Presuming the method of treatment to have been nearly the same 

 throughout, an analysis of the part occupied by Imecta for each 

 year will be instructive. For 1876 the subject occupied 240 pp. ; 

 1877, 284 pp. ; 1878, 291 pp. ; 1879, 25U pp. ; 1880, 238 pp. ; 

 1881, 303 pp.; 1882, 292 pp.; 1883, 299 pp. ; 1884, 319 pp.; 

 and 1885, 257 \)\). ; in this last volume the method of treatment 



