i8 



Turning again to the affairs of our Society, I am sorry to say that 

 eleven members have brought their connection with us to a close during 

 the past twelve months. That these resignations have been for the 

 most part unavoidable, I have no doubt ; in one instance, that of our 

 late President, Mr. Standen, we know that this is the case. If you will 

 allow me to digress so far, I will here take the opportunity of expressing 

 my deep regret, which I am quite sure will be shared by all here, that 

 he should have been obliged to leave us ; his term of office was marked 

 by a forward stride in the affairs of this Society, and I trust that you 

 will not think it out of place to record our appreciation of his en- 

 deavours to improve its position ; for the rest, his manly and earnest 

 character and kindly disposition endeared him to everyone with whom 

 he came in contact. The Secretary has already intimated to you that 

 we are not gaining ground ; I hope that this falling off is not permanent, 

 and that, as the excellent opportunities which are offered by the Society 

 for the study of Entomology become known, we shall more than recruit 

 our losses in the coming year. 



We have been very fortunate in our Honorary Curator and Librarian ; 

 the former, Mr. W. West, has spared no pains in preparing the Cabinet 

 for the reception of insects, and, thanks to those members who have so 

 kindly come forward with contributions, he has been able to make a 

 very fair show in a short space of time. We are much indebted to him, 

 for he is arranging a collection which will be of great value to us for 

 purposes of comparison ; his work requires to be seen to be fully appre- 

 ciated. As to the Library, great credit is due to Mr. Rose for the way 

 in which he has arranged and kept the books. 



Although no papers have been read at our meetings, Mr. Billups has 

 fulfilled his promise of last year and has given to us and to the world 

 some more valuable information respecting the granary weevils, in the 

 September number of this year's "Entomologist." He has also, I am 

 told, discovered several species of Coleoptera and Hymenoptera which 

 have not been hitherto captured in these islands. A large number of 

 rare insects have been exhibited from time to time by other members, 

 an account of which has been given to you in detail by the Secretary. 



There still appears to be an unaccountable disinclination on the part 



