PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS, 1893. 



Gentlemen, 



There are few, if any, of the Sciences which 

 combine in their pursuit more than Natural History, health- 

 giving out-of-door exercise, and that severe study which is 

 necessary to enable the student to solve the difficult problems 

 presented. Whether the naturalist roams over lofty moun- 

 tains, bleak moors, shady woods, or sheltered valleys, he is 

 certain to find an abundance of objects of equal interest. 

 Another advantage of the pursuit is that, in one form or 

 another, it affords recreation and enlightenment from childhood 

 to old age. 



In the few observations that I shall make in illustration of 

 these remarks, I propose to confine myself mainly to Ento- 

 mology, because it is that branch of Natural Science to which 

 the members of this Society chiefly devote their attention. 



Man still retains that hunting instinct which in prehistoric 

 times was a necessity, and at the present day is to many 

 one of the most enjoyable of recreations ; its gratification can 

 in no way be measured by the value of the quarry ; the 

 coveted brush of the fox is of little intrinsic value ; and much 

 the same may be said of the head of a royal stag which has 

 fallen to the rifle of the successful deerstalker, although in 

 the latter case there is the venison also, the attainment of 

 which at one time formed the only object of the chase, and 

 now is barely thought of in its connection. 



I have known the pursuit of Lepidoptera combined with 

 • that of the largest game ; the late Mr. Buxton told me that 

 on one occasion he saw a lion and a rare butterfly at the 

 same time in South Africa, and he hesitated which he should 

 try to obtain ; he succeeded in killing the lion, and also cap- 

 tured the rare insect. Mr. Selous, too, that mighty hunter, 

 also collects Lepidoptera. 



In our own country the chase of many of our Rhopalocera 

 is full of hopes and fears, and those who have captured 

 Apatura iris, well know with what a thrilling sensation of 



