1 893-] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. I47 



possessed much practical knowledge of the habits of insects ; but 

 only a few knew anything regarding their structure or classifica- 

 tion, except in a general way. In nationality the members were 

 English and German, with a few Americans ; the former seemed 

 partial to Lepidoptera, the Germans to Coleoptera, while the 

 Americans as a rule were more inclined, I think, to take an interest 

 in all the orders, and to make general collections. All were most 

 willing and ready to exhibit their captures and impart knowledge 

 of the same at the meetings of the Society, and also to show to 

 interested parties the many rare and beautiful treasures in their 

 cabinets. Occasionally the Society was honored at its meetings, 

 during my stay, by visitors of note from a distance, among whom 

 I remember Professor S. F. Baird, secretary of the Smithsonian 

 Institution, an enthusiastic naturalist ; Baron R. Osten Sacken, 

 of the Russian Legation at Washington, then the only known 

 Dipterologist in the country ; Dr. Brackenridge Clemens, of 

 Easton, Pa., the eminent micro-lepidopterist; and the members 

 were pleased to meet them and make their acquaintance. 



In the Spring of 1859 I returned to my home in northern 

 New York, and have never had the opportunity again of attend- 

 ing any of the meetings of the Society, and but once have I had 

 the pleasure of seeing its collections, and that was many years 

 ago. Although living far away from Philadelphia, I have always 

 felt a warm interest in the prosperity and welfare of the Society, 

 and cherished a life-long respect for many of its old members, 

 with whom I have had occasional correspondence and received 

 many entomological favors. After my return home I noticed 

 that I did not receive from the collectors in Philadelphia as many 

 fine specimens as I did before the formation of the Society. Rare 

 insects were then distributed to but few persons, and 1 came in 

 for a share ; but the association created a desire among the mem- 

 bers to assist each other, and hence those living distant from 

 Philadelphia did not fare as well in that respect as formerly. But 

 I never regretted the part I took to bring collectors together, to 

 know and assist each other by adding to their collections, even 

 if my own cabinet did not receive as many additions from my 

 Philadelph^ friends, for it was more than made up from other 

 places, indirectly through the influence of the Society. Before 

 its formation I do not remember that I ever received, among the 

 many boxes of insects that came to me at my home, a single one 



