Robert McLachlan. 369 



In addition to the above-mentioned works, papers from his pen on 

 Exotic and British Neuroptera and other groups are to be found 

 scattered throughout contemporary entomological literature. 



The collection of Neuroptera which he formed, probably one of the 

 largest known, is, of course, specially interesting as illustrating his 

 various writings; he once contemplated making over his collections 

 by deed of gift to the British Museum (Natural History), but no deed 

 was executed, and at his death the unsigned draft was found amongst 

 his papers. His collection of British Lepidoptera is also an extensive 

 one, and contains many species, now rare or extinct in Britain, which 

 were easily obtainable in his collecting days. 



One of his principal interests and the well nigh absorbing 

 enthusiasm of his later years was the conduct of the " Entomologist's 

 Monthly Magazine," the interests of which journal he guarded with 

 the utmost zeal, acting as an editor from its commencement in 

 1864, and becoming proprietor after the death of H. T. Stainton, in 

 1902. 



During the most active part of his career McLachlan. frequently 

 travelled on the Continent, and kept up an extensive correspondence 

 with Continental and American entomologists. How greatly his work 

 was appreciated outside his own country is indicated by the numerous 

 honorary positions which he held in foreign Societies. 



He was a Fellow of most of our English Scientific Societies, and 

 took an active interest in many of them. He was elected a Fellow of 

 the Royal Society in 1877, and was appointed by the Council as a 

 Member of the " Committee to Superintend the Printing of the 

 Catalogue of Scientific Papers," when it was constituted in December, 

 1899, and he read the proofs of Vols. IX, X, XI, and XII, paying 

 special attention to the papers on entomology. He was also a 

 Member of the Evolution Committee to which he was appointed in 

 December, 1898. 



In the affairs of the Entomological Society of London he took a 

 very prominent part. He was Secretary from 1868 to 1872, 

 Treasurer from 1873 to 1875, and again from 1891 to the time of 

 his death. He was President for the years 1885-6, a time during 

 which the Society obtained its charter of incorporation, arid his name 

 appears on the document as the first President under the new order, 

 John Obadiah Westwood being appointed as Honorary Life President. 

 The Catalogue of the Society's library also owes much to his exertions. 

 He was a very constant attendant at the Meetings, and expressed his 

 opinions on most of the subjects brought up for discussion. Although 

 a convinced evolutionist he rarely entered into lengthy arguments in 

 these matters; looking upon many of the views expressed in con- 



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