55 



because its g^reat powers of recognising and avoiding danger 

 give it that feeling of security which brings peace and con- 

 tentment. 



But I believe the joyous life of an insect stands really 

 upon a totally different ground. As I have endeavoured to 

 show, an insect can scarcely have any experience of danger, 

 it can hardly have any wisdom derived from the previous 

 avoidance of danger, because if it does avoid danger, it does 

 so unconsciously, without ever recognising the danger it has 

 avoided. An insect enjoys life, not because it rejoices in 

 its knowledge and power of escaping danger, as I think the 

 higher animals may do, but because it is absolutely ignorant 

 of danger. It is a perfect organism, and enjoys its perfection 

 in total ignorance of the dangers which surround it. 



Let me here quote a verse from the poet Rogers, written 

 perhaps some seventy or eighty years ago : 



"Child of the sun ! pursue thy rapturous flight, 

 Mingling with her thou lov'st in fields of light ; 

 And where the flowers of Paradise unfold 

 Quaff fragrant nectar from their cups of gold." 



Anyone who has paid the slightest attention to insect life 

 will readily admit that insects can and do, mthout doubt, 

 enjoy the pleasures of life thus described by the poet. But 

 these pleasures do not alone constitute that joy of life which, 

 I claim, insects possess. By the joy of life I mean, not only 

 the absence of fear and pain, but a positive actual pleasure 

 in existence, arising from the perfection of their constitution, 

 from the fitness of the creatures to their environment. 



And now, gentlemen, before I descend from this height to 

 which by your kindness you elevated me, I have one more 

 duty to perform. It is, I am glad to say, a very pleasant 

 one — in fact, the only solace left. I have the pleasure 

 to introduce to you my successor, Mr. Hugh Main, 

 Bachelor of Science, Fellow of the Entomological Society, 

 and member of other scientific societies. He is a keen 

 student of the Lepidoptera, an excellent photographer, 

 and versed in microscopical lore. I am aware that this 

 is well known to you all, just in the same way that we all 

 know at least two of Mr. Main^s excellent personal quali- 

 ties, his clear insight and his modesty. I have just tried to 

 prove to you that an insect enjo}'S its life on account of 

 its fitness to its surroundings, and for the same reason I feel 

 assured that Mr. Main will enjoy his presidential existence. 



