Cor} 
follows from this fact that the amount of selective pressure 
exerted by inexperienced enemies of insects is many times 
as great as that which is due to the educational period of 
the mature enemies existing at any moment.”* We also 
realize the fact that insects as food are of far greater import- 
ance than might be at first sight supposed ; for they supply 
not only the insectivorous species but those other forms which 
in turn prey upon them. 
Thus, when we bring together the evidence supplied by the 
study of insects it is seen that it nowhere supports the 
assumption upon which Lamarckian evolution is founded, the 
assumption that acquired characters are transmissible by 
heredity. 
Before leaving the Chair at the conclusion of my second 
year of office I desire warmly to thank the Officers, Members 
of Council, and Fellows of the Society, who by their kind- 
ness have made my task so easy and altogether pleasurable. 
You will, I know full well, accord the same generous sympathy 
to my successor, and under his guidance I feel confident that 
the prosperity of recent years will be continued, I hope in 
even larger measure. 
Before taking leave of the Fellows in my official capacity I 
desire to direct their attention to two thoughts, both of which 
I have endeavoured to keep prominently before the Society, 
thoughts which I trust will continue to inspire our meetings: 
First, ever to remember the high significance of the material 
we study; to realize its priceless value for the elucidation 
and the solution of problems the most intricate, difficult and 
important ; to feel that this unrivalled opportunity is a serious 
personal responsibility. 
Secondly, always to bear in mind that London is a great 
deal more than the capital of England, and that the Entomo- 
logical Society of London can do much to help the work of 
naturalists all over the world—men in some conditions better 
off than we are, in other conditions less well provided, with 
new and inspiring problems at hand calling for study, but 
* Proce. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1903, p. lxv. The form of the passage has 
been slightly modified. 
