( Ixii ) 



THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



Gentlemen, 



The affairs of the Society, as set forth in the 

 Council Keport, call for no special comment from the 

 presidential chair. You will hear with satisfaction that we 

 have been included among those Societies which are entitled 

 to send up applications to the Scientific Relief Committee of 

 the Royal Society, a concession which we must acknowledge 

 to be a recognition of the status which our Society has 

 reached in the scientific world. During the past year we 

 have also, at the instigation of our Treasurer, taken action 

 with respect to the over-collecting of British insects, and a 

 Committee has been formed, with Mr. Barrett for Secretary, 

 for dealing with this subject. Having myself long ago come 

 to the conclusion that there was a real cai;se of alarm, so far 

 as concerns the rare and local species of this country, it is 

 with great interest that I have taken part in the work of the 

 Committee. As yet two meetings only have been held, and it 

 has become evident that the task of dealing with the matter 

 in a practical way will be a very difficult one. It is 

 encouraging to learn, however, that the mere announcement 

 that our Society had taken up the subject has given general 

 satisfaction throughout the country, and we have received 

 promises of support and co-operation from several local 

 societies as well as from individuals. Whether any feasible 

 scheme of protection can be devised, and, if so, can be put 

 into operation, must be left for decision by the Committee at 

 future deliberations. In the meantime tlie moral influence 

 of the movement cannot but make itself felt. 



