OBITUARY. 119 



Stylopidce, of the dipterous Conopidce and Bombyliidce, of the 

 interesting parasitic hymenopterous genus Scleroderma, of many 

 of the parasitic Chalcididce, and especialty in the history and 

 affinities of the wonderful fig-insects to which he and Prof. 

 Westwood have lately given so much careful attention. Sir 

 Sidney was an original member (1833), a past President (1874-5), 

 a present Vice-President, and always a strong supporter of and 

 constant attendant (as far as circumstances would permit) at the 

 meetings of the Entomological Society. His published papers — 

 far too few to in any way represent his extensive knowledge — 

 were mostly contributed to their Transactions ; his first paper 

 being read on May 1th, 1835, " Account of the attacks of various 

 insects upon wine-corks," and his last on April 2nd, 1884, " On 

 the Pediadas Melittce of Kirby and its affinities, with reference to 

 the larvae of Meloe " — a long period embracing a time of great 

 entomological progress, to which the subject of our notice was 

 constantly contributing and carefully watching. He was often a 

 fellow- worker with his friend Westwood, the only two original 

 members of the Entomological Society who have continued to 

 attend the meetings— the last representatives of an entomologically 

 eventful era. His genial and sympathetic presence will be greatly 

 missed by many of the younger members whom he so greatly 

 loved to encourage. The death of this veteran Entomologist, 

 who was a member of the French (since 1835), Belgian, Vienna, 

 Italian, and other Societies, and whose enthusiasm and activity 

 seemed to increase with his years, will be deeply regretted by 

 many Entomologists both in Britain and abroad. His foreign 

 correspondence was large, and he was a worthy representative of 

 British Entomologists. The gracious manner in which his 

 knowledge was brought into conflict with those of others is well 

 exemplified in his recent controversies with M. Edmond Andre 

 and Dr. Paul Mayer. He was always a most careful and 

 scrupulously painstaking writer, corrections and additions being 

 frequent to matter intended for publication or otherwise. This 

 has been said to be a sure mark of genius, and with our lamented 

 author it assuredly was so. — E. A. F. 



William Prest, of Holgate-road, York, died April 7th, 1884, 

 aged fifty-nine years. Mr. Prest has been so long before the 

 entomological public as a contributor to this Magazine, and 

 one who had an exceptionally large circle of correspondents, that 



