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many insects feed upon a number of different plants, and the 

 average per plant would be much higher if we were to count 

 the same insects twice over. The annual additions to the 

 botanical lists can scarcely be estimated at above 3500, but it 

 will be evident that the field of work in Botany more nearly 

 approaches that of Entomology in magnitude than does that 

 of any other branch of Biology. If the means placed at the 

 disposal of the Trustees were sufficient for the purpose, it 

 would, I think, be a source of general satisfaction that our 

 popular and, as I have shown, useful branch of science should 

 be placed on the same footing as the sister science of Botany, 

 by having, in our National Museum, a separate department 

 to itself. It is certain that at least three times the number 

 of the present staff are required to deal with the subject in 

 any complete and satisfactory manner. 



This change, combined with the annual publication of 

 small systematic monographs of families, subfamilies, or even 

 genera of insects, with full structural details to explain their 

 classification, would, I think, tend greatly to advance our 

 favourite study ; but a free expression of representative 

 opinion would be required to secure such an application of 

 the necessary public funds. In the meanwhile private enter- 

 prise, with the assistance of learned societies such as our own, 

 can do much by setting the necessary example of good mono- 

 graphic work, and I would urge this object strongly upon the 

 Fellows of the Entomological Society. Such work has not 

 been neglected by them in the past, and is probably less 

 likely to be neglected in the future, if they can feel that by 

 giving it their attention they may be setting the right 

 example, and laying down the lines for good systematic ento- 

 mological work in our great public department of zoological 

 research. In this connection it gives me great pleasure to 

 notice the ' Kevisio Insectorum FamiliaB Mautidarum,' which 

 affords abundant evidence of undiminished vitality and 

 industry on the part of our veteran Hon. Life-President, 

 Professor Westwood. 



It is usual on these occasions to mention the names of 

 those Fellows of the Society who have died during the past 



