151 



our collection of British Coleoptera is the most complete in the 

 country." 



I cordially endorse this statement ; I do not think the plan pro- 

 pounded will at all clash with my appeal for insects for this Society's 

 collection, and I believe not only will there be material forthcoming 

 for both collections, but that the two may each have its sphere of 

 usefulness. For, as the Museum closes at four o'clock in winter and 

 at six in summer, only those persons who can go there in the day- 

 time can avail themselves of its advantages, whereas our collections 

 are accessible until seven o'clock every Monday throughout the year, 

 and thus those of our Members who are engaged in business during 

 the day, and I think they are the majority, have here opportunities 

 of examming and comparing insects which the Museum cannot 

 afford, the types, moreover, being their own property ; therefore I 

 wish both plans success. 



The Hopeian Collection, <&c., at Oxford. 



The Hopeian Collection of Insects, presented eleven years ago to 

 the University of Oxford, is rich in exotic species, especially from 

 India, New Holland and Africa, and containing extensive series of 

 types described by their several authors, — e. g. Cetoniadse and Bu- 

 prestidse, by Gory ; Curculionidse, by Schonherr ; Orthoptera (Mar- 

 chal's entire collection), by Serville ; Ichneumonidse, by Gravenhorst; 

 Chalcididae, Proctotrupidse and Aphidse, by "Walker and Foerster; 

 Diptera, by Macquart ; &c., &c., — has almost annually received large 

 accessions from Mr. Hope himself, and in 1857 the entire collection 

 of insects, books and drawings formed by Mr. Westwood were added, 

 when the whole were placed under the charge of that gentleman. 

 Since that time also continual additions have been made, including 

 the whole of Mr. WoUaston's second and enlarged cabinet of Madeiran 

 insects, the whole of Mr. Wells' English and foreign collection, a 

 considerable portion of the Kirbyan Collection, and selections from 

 those sent home by Bates, Wallace, Stevens (Bogota), Squire, Guein- 

 zius, Dupuiset, &c., &c. : many contributions of smaller extent have 

 been received from the Museums of Amsterdam, Leyden and Berlin, 

 and from many entomologists, including Messrs. Baly, Sheppard, 

 Pascoe, Parry, W. W. Saunders, Bree, &c. The collection is also 

 rich in specimens illustrating the natural history of insects and in 

 specimens preserved in spirits. 



