68 THE entomologist's RECORD. 



his B.A. degree with Honours in Classics, he devoted himself to the 

 scholastic profession, and was engaged at Hull, Ruthen, Galway, and 

 Portora Royal School, Enniskillen. He remained at Portora 19 years, 

 and his Head concludes his testimonial with the words, " I deeply 

 regret the circumstances — which neither of us could control — which 

 led to his leaving Portora." He was certainly a good all round man. 

 His Oxford Tutor speal<s of him as one of the best classical pupils he 

 had ever had. In another testimonial he is stated to have " had entire 

 charge of the Classics of the Sixth Form, together with Ancient and 

 Modern History, and further taught Mathematics, French, History, 

 and Geography, in various parts of the school." So the story goes on. 

 " School magazine," " games," " lawn tennis," " an intelligent musi- 

 cian." and . ..." a very accomplished entomologist." 



No doubt the busy-ness of his life prevented Mr. Allen doing all he 

 would have wished for entomology. As a matter of fact he did not 

 publish much on this subject, in which he took so keen an interest. 

 So far as the writer can trace his contributions to entomological maga- 

 zines covered the years from 1890 to 1913. He was one of the first 

 contributors to our Magazine, and continued to write for us until the 

 last date, which practically coincides with his departure from Ennis- 

 killen. 



But he did some very good work. He will be specially remembered 

 for his researches in the British species of (i/mrabia and bringing into 

 notice the general occurrence of 0. aiituninata, previously a rarity in 

 collections. He also threshed out the my.-teiy of 0. chriatiji, showing 

 it to have a good claim to be regarded as a distinct species rather 

 than a variety. He made various and systematic investigations on tbe 

 crossings of the Oporabiae, the results of which have not been publishd 

 in full. He was very successful in finding comparatively scarce species 

 in out of the way places, as Eujiithecia jasicDieata in North Wales, 

 E. tngata in Galway, Hydroecia crinanensis in many different localities 

 in Ireland, and an unlimited supply of that difficult insect lumnelt'sia 

 taeniata also in Ireland. 



Owing to his distance from entomological centres he was little 

 known personallj^ to English entomologists. As a correspondent he 

 will be chiefly remembered. In a letter no-(V before the writer occur 

 the words, " I am very sorry to hear of the death of J. E. R. Allen. I 

 doii't think I ever met him, but very agreeable correspondence passed 

 between us. He will be a loss to entomological circles." The writer 

 can bear the same witness, as also to his generosity in sharing out his 

 spoils, and the ungrudging svipply of material for investigation, which 

 marks the true scientist. 



That was just the matter. He was too fully employed to do much 

 in the way of contributing to the magazines, but he was an excellent 

 correspondent, and always quick to convey any information which 

 could be of interest or use. 



Like so many of us, he was " infected" with love of entomology in 

 early years. " I think he was about eleven years old when he first 

 began collecting. The postmaster of our village of Walmsley, Mr. 

 McLean, a Scotsman, was a keen collector, and used to take the small 

 boy on expeditions to New Brighton and other places moth hunting." 



Leaving Enniskillen in 1914, Mr. Allen went to the Royal Gram- 

 mar School, Worcester, in which city he died. He was laid to rest at 

 Walmsley Chapel, Bolton, on December 16th, 1916.— C.R.N.B. 



