( Ixxxviii ) 
especially sensible of what his loss means to the Society in its 
business relations. He has deserved well of us, and his place 
will not easily be filled. 
Outside our own ranks the year has witnessed the decease 
of the well-known collector H. McArthur, who by his labours 
in Central Asia, Kashmir and India, as well as nearer home 
in the Orkneys, Shetlands and Hebrides, has widened the 
bounds of entomological knowledge. 
The death of Gustav Beeddin, which took place during the 
last days of 1909, should not be allowed to pass without 
notice. A recognised authority on the Hemiptera, he was 
distinguished by the specially scientific character of his work 
upon the group. 
Lastly must be mentioned the death of Gustav Fischer, 
the well-known publisher of Jena. Not specially an entomo¬ 
logist, he has yet deserved well of the entomological fraternity 
on account of the numerous works, of high interest to all 
students of insects, which under his auspices have seen the 
light. 
In the course of the year several of our Fellows have been 
the recipients of well-merited honours. It is a matter of 
great satisfaction to us all that the deserts of my immediate 
predecessor in this Chair have met with recognition in the 
highest quarters. As a Companion of the Imperial Service 
Order, Mr. C. 0. Waterhouse will carry into his retirement 
from the public service the affectionate goodwill of all 
who know him ; and we may hope in this Society to 
enjoy the benefit of his long experience and matured 
wisdom for many years to come. The University of 
Oxford conferred distinction at once on itself and on our 
ex-President Professor Meldola, F.B.S., by bestowing on him 
the honorary degree of Doctor in Science, and by appointing 
him Herbert Spencer Lecturer for 1910. Mr. Selwyn Image, 
a member of our Council, has been elected to the Slade 
Professorship of Fine Art in the same Univei’sity. Those 
who, like myself, have sat at the feet of John Buskin, 
will agree that no more worthy occupant could have been 
found for the Chair that will ever be linked in association 
with the memory of that great teacher and prophet. With 
