VI PKEFACE. 



may act well as insect preventives in some circumstances, may 

 be totally inapplicable in others, and many other points well 

 known to an agriculturist, would make an enormous change in 

 the views of the young teacher. Any (correct) information as to 

 habits of insect life is serviceable, and would be gladly welcomed 

 by us all. But crude theories of treatment pressed on us by 

 those who have no experience of how far they are applicable, need 

 correction from those whose losses might otherwise be counted 

 by hundreds of pounds. 



Eeverting now to the present subject, I have once again to 

 offer my cordial thanks to the many friends, both British and 

 foreign, who have aided and co-operated with me in the past 

 year. To myself, as well as to us all, the skilled assistance of 

 leading entomologists has been very valuable, and on the co- 

 operation of our agriculturists, and on their kindness (which I 

 always gratefully acknowledge) in placing in my hands reports 

 of insect presence, and details of treatment which they find ser- 

 viceable and practicable at a paying rate, depends the chief use 

 of my yearly Reports. To our agricultural, and often to our 

 general, press I am also greatly indebted for their encouragement 

 and courteous help. 



A few words should be added on the loss which we all have 

 suffered in the recent decease of Prof. J. 0. Westwood, Life- 

 President of the Entomological Society, who has lately been 

 taken from us full of years, honoured for his goodness and 

 uprightness, as well as for his vast and sound learning, and 

 regretted by all who knew him. As Hope Professor of Zoology 

 in the University of Oxford, he continued the course of his 

 instructions until within the last few months of his life, and as 

 an entomologist he stood perhaps unrivalled. But few at the 

 present day are fully aware of the great services he rendered to 

 agriculturists and fruit growers by his careful observations of 

 injurious insects and measures of prevention and remedy, and 

 his sound working out of the principles of insect classification 

 and rules of life. As the colleague and pupil, which he honoured 

 me by calling me, I add my tribute of respect to the memory of 

 my good leader, and always kind helper in my work. 



Once again, in placiug the results of the past year's work in 

 the hands of my contributors, with thanks for their co-operation, 

 I ask their co-operation also for the future. Although my 

 health, and especially the long and severe suffering consequent 



