( xciii ) 



been laid before the scientific world by means of the Society's 

 own publications. 



"The heartiest congratulations on the occasion of this Cen- 

 tenary Celebration are due and are now offered to the Univer- 

 sity of Cambridge, as the nursing mother of a man who has 

 revolutionised thought, and whose overmastering influence 

 has made itself felt not only in the sphere of Biological Inquiry, 

 but also in those of Physics, of Politics, and of Philosophy." 



In the composition of the above Address I had the great 

 advantage of the assistance of Professor Poulton, and of one of 

 our former Vice-Presidents, the Rev. F. D. Morice. 



I must not omit to mention that another of our ex-Presi- 

 dents, Lord Walsingham, the recent transfer of whose magni- 

 ficent collection of microlepidoptera to the National Collection 

 is one of the chief events of the Entomological year, took a 

 prominent part in the proceedings as High Steward of the 

 University of Cambi-idge. 



Certain coming events demand our notice. We are propos^ 

 ing to hold another Conversazione next May, when the 

 experience we have gained will no doubt enable us to ensure 

 an even more successful result than on the last occasion. I 

 need hardly impress upon those present the desirability of 

 hearty co-operation towards this end. 



It is to be hoped that some of our number will be able to 

 attend the International Zoological Congress to be held at 

 Graz next August. But whether this be so or not, we ought 

 certainly to send a strong contingent to the First International 

 Congress of Entomology, the establishment of which is chiefly 

 due to the tact and energy of our Vice-President, Dr. Karl 

 Jordan. The Congress, as I think we all know, is to be held 

 in Brussels, during the first week of August. 



I now turn to the more special portion of my Address, for 

 which I have chosen as a subject, 



The Plume-scales of the Pierinae. 



The form of scent-distributor most characteristic of the 

 Pierinae is the plume-scale or plumule. This is a chitinous 

 lamina, flat like the ordinary wing-scale, terminating distally 



