( xlvi ) 
straight course through the numerous difficulties, contra- 
dictions, and doubts, which constantly surround such enquiries 
is very limited ; and that if it was conceded that by such work 
alone the highest ranks of science could be reached, a great 
check would be placed on the humble endeavours of persons 
like myself, who find their greatest pleasure in collecting and 
arranging the material which must form the only solid 
foundation for such work as has been done by Darwin, 
Wallace, Bates, Weismann, and others. 
Once or twice in a generation perhaps some surpassing 
and far-seeing intellect will arise, who can explain the 
phenomena of nature in a way that all can follow him, but 
such work is not possible to most of us; and personally 
I shall be content if I am able, by careful and orderly 
collection and exact observation, to provide the raw material 
for such deeper speculations. When, however, we see that 
nearly all the greatest naturalists have begun by being 
travellers, collectors, and to some extent systematists, and 
that no one can speculate with advantage until he has a very 
intimate knowledge acquired by personal study of some one 
order or family; and also how impossible it is for any 
man to work at all families of insects; I believe we must 
all acknowledge that even a humble collector of Lepidoptera 
has it in his power to observe and place on record facts 
which must be of greater eventual importance than they 
now seem, provided that accuracy of observation and record 
are strictly attended to. 
I am very glad to see that our Society continues to 
increase in a satisfactory manner, that its meetings are 
better attended than ever, and that though we still are, as we 
always have been, hindered by lack of funds from publishing 
and sufficiently illustrating the work of our Fellows, yet our 
‘Transactions’ are increasing in size and in interest, and that 
the library, which forms an indispensable foundation for all 
our work, is larger, better arranged, and more accurately 
catalogued than ever before. 
We have received a bequest from our late lamented Life- 
President, Prof. Westwood, which will enable additional plates 
to be given in our ‘Transactions’ in future years, and this 
