( Ixiv ) 



us long and well. Mr. Goss has for a period of eleven years 

 undertaken the larger share of those duties which, as I can 

 testify from personal experience, are by no means light to a 

 professional man having many other occupations ; he has 

 certainly earned his retirement, and with it the gratitude of 

 the Society. To Canon Fowler are we no less indebted when 

 we bear in mind the distance at which he resides from 

 London, and the numerous other claims upon his time. It 

 must temper our regret at the loss of these gentlemen, 

 however, to know that we have been so fortunate as to secure 

 the services of Mr. Blandford and Mr. Merrifield, in whose 

 hands we may feel assured the scientific status of the 

 Entomological Society of London will be well maintained. 

 ^Yith regard to my own position I can only feel that I have 

 been a usurper in the chair which should have long ago been 

 occupied by the distinguished entomologist who succeeds me. 

 It is only due to the circumstance that Mr. Trimen has for so 

 many years been in charge of the South African Museum 

 that we have never before had the opportunity of seeing him 

 in that position which is his due. Our new President has for 

 thirty-eight years been a Member and Fellow of the Society ; 

 he has won his spurs, not only as an entomologist, but as an 

 all-round naturalist, and it is to me a matter of congratu- 

 lation that I have this evening the privilege of handing over 

 to him the reins of office. 



THE UTILITY OF SPECIFIC CHARACTERS AND 

 PHYSIOLOGICAL CORRELATION. 



Among the subjects of general biological interest which 

 have been discussed during the past year, I have selected as 

 the theme of my address one which was introduced by our 

 eminent colleague. Dr. A. R. Wallace, at a meeting of the 

 Linnean Society held on June 18th. The importance of this 

 paper is due not only to the circumstance that it was read in 

 person by its veteran author, but also to the fact that, after 

 the lapse of thirty-eight years, the principles of the theory of 

 natural selection, as a theory competent to explain the 

 formation of species, have been reaffirmed with renewed 



