PRESIDENTS ADDRESS. 5 



with most of the other insects included, but I think that some 

 of them are in a similar position, and I can only regret that 

 the 10 fine is not applied to some things which do far more 

 harm than any of these moths are likely to do here. I think 

 entomologists will be the chief sufferers, who breed these 

 moths on account of their scarcity ! It has lately been shown 

 by experiment that certain dragon-fly larvse are able to live 

 for at least four months, if the water they are in is dried up. 

 Ponds get so low in the summer that this might often happen 

 to them in a state of nature. It was also shown that some 

 live at least 2^ years as larvse, but that is the case with various 

 insects of different orders. Some moths will remain in the 

 pupa state for several years before emerging. Certain dor- 

 beetles in Ceylon have been found to be infested with small 

 hairy flies, which is, as far as I can remember, a new r form of 

 parasite on insects, though mites are very common. It has 

 lately been suggested that a number of marine animals live 

 by direct absorption of carbon and nitrogen compounds, 

 which are held in solution in the sea, but the theory would 

 seem to require investigation as to the amount of these 

 substances so held in solution, which may not be sufficient 

 for the purpose. The" Michael Sars " expedition for observa- 

 tions and dredging in the Atlantic has, amongst other additions 

 to our knowledge, discovered a number of new deep-sea fish 

 and other creatures, and has found the younger forms of the 

 common eel (Leptocephalus brevirostris) to the south and west 

 of the Azores, whereas the older individuals were met with 

 to the north, over very large areas, shewing a gradual migra- 

 tion. Eels appear to spawn in great depths of water, but 

 whether at the bottom or nearer the surface is still uncertain. 

 We all know the accounts of the terrific combats which are 

 said to take place between the thrasher and the whale. These 

 are now supposed to be the lashing of the arms of gigantic 

 squids, when seized by cachalot whales and brought to the 

 surface for the purpose of feeding on them, which these 

 whales are known to do ; but whether there is also any truth 

 in the attacks of the thrashers I cannot say. It would seem 



