( xxxi ) 



best plans would be the formation of a Committee of the 

 Society (not composed necessarily of members of the Council), 

 to consider the whole subject. 



Prof. Meldola said he quite sympathised with the remarks 

 of the Treasurer, and if he spoke then he must beg the 

 Fellows to excuse his interference at that point, because he 

 would probably soon have to leave the Chair in the posses- 

 sion of a Vice-President of the Society. It did seem to 

 him very desirable that some steps should be taken, even 

 although, as Mr. McLachlan said, there might be some doubt 

 as to man's agency in the matter of extinguishing a lingering 

 species. But if there was any doubt let the butterflies have 

 the benefit of it, and let steps be taken to check the depre- 

 dations of the avaricious collector, and, worse still, the 

 dealers. As an abstract principle it was very well to make a 

 general statement of that kind ; the difficulty would come in 

 reducing it to practice. He thought the Treasurer's sugges 

 tion that a Committee should be formed was at any rate a step 

 in the right direction. He did not see how they were to go 

 to work, but it had occurred to him that in a case of this kind, 

 representations might be made to the local Societies with 

 a view to approaching the landowner on Avhose property 

 the rare species occurred, and asking him to take it under 

 his care. He thought most landowners would see the 

 importance of doing so. For insects the Society could 

 not appeal to popular sentiment. The birds had the benefit 

 of an Act of Parliament, but the Society could not appeal to 

 the public for the preservation of butterflies. He thought 

 some strong resolution passed by the Society, possibly in con- 

 junction with kindred Societies, might produce some effect. 

 The botanists were in an equal plight ; they dared not reveal 

 localities for fear of the extermination of species. He 

 thought representations might be made to schoolmasters with 

 the object of inculcating a little mercy into schoolboy 

 collectors. The mere sight of butterflies at large was a. 

 pleasure of which we ought not to be deprived because certain 

 persons desire to have long rows of them on pins. He was 

 happy to believe that the practice of making pictures out of 

 butterflies' wingshad died out. 



