Ixxv 
keep ever in view the conception of a number of individualities 
fused into one, yet perhaps retaining some separateness of mental 
action, a conception which may throw light on many an obscure 
problem, and which will perhaps materially influence our ideas as 
to the nature of life itself. We must remember also, that if the 
insect is really a compound animal, then the only true homology 
that can exist between it and a vertebrate, or a mollusk, will be one 
between a single segment and an entire animal, and the search 
after any other will be so much lost time. Especially must the 
acceptance of this theory have an important bearing on all 
embryological and genetical studies ; and if the facts and argu- 
ments adduced by its learned and philosophical author do make 
out even a prima facie case in its favour, it must deserve the 
careful and unbiassed consideration of all who endeavour to solve 
the problem of the origin of insects. 
I have now, Gentlemen, only to express my satisfaction that, 
at the expiration of my term of office, 1 leave the Society in at 
least as flourishing a condition as that in which I found it; for, 
although I feel that none of its success is due to my individual 
exertions, yet some of the responsibility of misfortune might have 
fallen upon me. The Entomological and all similar Societies 
may be compared to such a compound animal as Mr. Spencer's 
insect, and its success will depend upon its component members 
being sufficiently numerous and _ sufficiently differentiated in 
character to perform energetically all the functions which maintain 
its life, and at the same time sufficiently combined and integrated 
to work harmoniously together for the good of the organism. 
The officers with whom I have had the pleasure of being 
associated during the past year, make, I venture to suggest, a 
near approach to this high ideal; and although I have been but 
an inefficient head to a body which is, so to speak, engaged in a 
constant struggle to maintain a healthy and useful existence, 
yet your kind consideration has always made it a pleasure for me 
to fulfil, to the best of my ability, the duties of the honourable 
office to which you elected me. 
