Cie) 
of the order Hemiptera, and was Mr. Douglas’s co-labourer in 
the production of the volume published by the Ray Society, 
descriptive of our native species of the insects of that order. 
I have heard in 1888 of few deaths of entomologists in 
foreign countries ; the only prominent names that I recall are 
Bellier de la Chavignerie of Evreux, and Donckier de Donceel, 
senior, of Liége. 
Among the subjects that have attracted the attention 
of entomologists in recent years, the senses and instincts of 
insects are prominent, and I have myself been much interested, 
as an attentive reader, of what has been written about them. 
Sir John Lubbock has just published a book dealing with 
the subject, with which you all are probably acquainted, 
and with which, like myself, you probably have been much 
pleased. Ihad decided on addressing you on the subject before 
the appearance of our esteemed ex-President’s interesting 
work, and have decided not to abandon my intention because 
of its publication : for though I discuss the same topics, and 
entertain on the whole similar views, yet the subject is so 
extensive that I hope my address will be found not to bea 
mere repetition of what is said in ‘‘ The Senses and Instinct 
of Animals.” The object of my brief review will be to recall 
to you that we have little positive knowledge of the functions 
of the sense-organs of insects, and that some of the views 
that have been expressed in a very positive manner, to the 
effect. that insect instincts are inexplicable on the theory of 
their gradual evolution, are certainly premature and probably 
erroneous. 
The most important of the senses of insects is that of vision. 
The higher insects are remarkable for their activity, and for 
the facility and perfection of their movements; and there is 
little doubt that the perceptions of their optical organs are 
their chief guides in the execution of their remarkable evolu- 
tions; these organs, as you all know, are of two kinds, com- 
pound eyes and ocelli. 
It would occupy us too long if I were to sketch the various 
views that have been expressed as to the function of sight, 
and more especially of the compound eyes in insects; but 
there is a brief and very fair summary of the subject, 
extending to the year 1875 or thereabouts, in Grenacher’s 
