68 YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS' UNION. 



YORKSHIRE ICHNEUMONID.E AND 

 BRACONIDJi: FOR 1878. 



By S. D. BAIRSTOW, Huddersfilld. 



In reviewing the Report of this group I think we may venture 

 to congratulate ourselves, somewhat on the season's work, without 

 losing sight of the fact that 50 or 60 species out of a sum total of 

 1 186 is no flattering percentage on the whole, even though 

 our priinuin mobile and inclusive of the timely assistance of the 

 Rev. T. A. Marshall's 'Yorkshire List" (vide Roebuck's Report for 

 1877). 



The insect world has been suffering from a reaction — the 

 effect of that exceptionally inclement vfeather it experienced in 

 1877, and Ichneumons along with other orders must have had 

 their ranks depopulated by the disastrous rains and consequences 

 of that year. Under such unpropitious circumstances the list 

 ensuing will stand as an earnest at all events of future efforts, and 

 serve as an impulse to the ball, vdiich I sincerely hope is ''on the 

 move." 



In another place I have referred to the actual necessity 

 OF co-operation. Mr. Roebuck and myself can do but 

 little unless our lepidopterists (who are almost compelled in 

 their labors to meet with some specimens of our groups) forivard 

 to us- — I may not say give — their captures for purposes of identi- 

 fication and record. 



In order to establish authenticity as a principle and basis of 

 operations I have spared no effort to attain that object, and desire 

 in this place to express my thanks to Dr. Snellen van Vollenhoven,' 

 of the Hague (author of 'Pinacographia'), a naturalist in more 

 senses than one, and to otlier gentlemen ^vhose assistance it is 

 needless to particularize. Collectors also must be careful not to 

 transmit as Yorkshire specimens for naming, specimens bred /;/ 

 Yorkshire, but bred/zv^w larvae obtained in other counties. 



l'rans.Y.N.U.,lS78. Series D 



