12 



we are most likely to convince others of our being right, and 

 of their being wrong. As the old saying has it, " A man 

 convinced against his will remains of the. same opinion 

 still." 



Difference of opinion leads to discussion, but the legitimate 

 outcome of argument should be elucidation of the matter in 

 question, and establishment of the truth. In the considera- 

 tion of any subject of a scientific character it is certainly only 

 right to point out error wherever detected. At the same 

 time, however, the ordinary courtesies of debate oblige us to 

 treat the opinions of others with respect. Those who make 

 statements, or bring forward theories, are understood to do 

 so in all sincerity. If such theories or statements are not 

 quite in accordance with our views, we should present the 

 facts upon which we base our opposition in an orderly and 

 concise manner. To essay the overthrow of an opponent 

 by a flood of sarcastic criticism and personal invective is 

 altogether unseemly, and quite out of place either in writing 

 or speaking on subjects pertaining to science. Such style 

 of argument may " tickle the ears of the groundlings," but 

 will not fail to be offensive to all who consider that the 

 discussion of scientific questions should be conducted in 

 earnestness. 



My predecessor in the Chair, Mr. Hall, in his address to 

 you last year, adverted to the possible advantages of a 

 combination of Natural History Societies of the Metropolis. 

 Although I recognise that amalgamation would be distinctly 

 advantageous from certain points of view, I am not prepared 

 to admit that it would be an altogether unmixed blessing. 

 It is to be hoped that every member of this Society realises 

 the fact that union is strength, in so far as it concerns the 

 cohesion of the component parts of the Society. We are 

 enrolled as fellow-workers in the extensive field of natural 

 history, and although we may individually affect different 

 branches of study, there is, I am sure, complete sympathy 

 between us all. Let us be firm in the resolve to be true to 

 each other, and each one of us steadfast in endeavouring to 

 do all that he can to further the best interests of the Society. 

 If we continue to be united in purpose, and work harmoni- 

 ously together in carrying out the object of our association, 

 we may be sure of increasing our numerical strength, and 

 still further improving our position as time rolls on. 



It is little short of humiliating to every true student of 

 nature that there should be any necessity to seriously con- 

 sider the question of how local butterflies and moths are to 



