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serious blanks are created by the deaths of Mr. E. C. Buxton, formerly 

 ofDaresbury Hall, near Warrington, where he amassed a large 

 and comprehensive collection of British Lepidoptera, but devoted 

 the later years of his life to his favourite pursuits — entomology and 

 ornithology — in foreign countries, chiefly on the east coast of 

 Africa, where he finally succumbed to an acute attack of fever ; 

 also of Mr. Tuely, of Wimbledon, whose interesting exhibition at 

 the Aquarium of lepidoptera taken in his own garden everyone 

 will remember ; of Thomas West, of Liverpool, Noah Greening 

 and James Cooper, both of Warrington, and others of equal 

 industry though of lesser fame. 



To turn to matters more directly affecting the immediate objects 

 and progress of the Society, you will have seen by the report of 

 the Council that there is a marked evidence of increased prosperity 

 during the past year. When we consider the number of valuable 

 books that we have been able to add to our library, and the pur- 

 chase of a cabinet, I think we may fairly say that our exchequer 

 is in an exceedingly healthy condition. 



Thanks to the infusion of new blood, there has been a decided 

 improvement in the conduct of our business, a readier dispatch of 

 necessary work, more animated discussions, and, gentlemen (I 

 announce it with bated breath), an occasional paper. Those who 

 have for a long time past deplored with me the monotony of our 

 meetings, and the absence of anything of an instructive or interest- 

 ing character in our discussions, will quite appreciate the pleasure 

 with which I mention the names of Mr. Perkins and Mr. Billups 

 as the gentlemen who have thus entertained us. The first of 

 Mr. Billups' papers gave a short account of the capture, in the 

 Borough Market, of that lovely insect, Carabus Auratus. It 

 would seem at first sight a strange place to find so rare a British 

 beetle; but Mr. Billups goes on to tell us that, in his opinion, the 

 specimens which were being so ruthlessly trodden under foot by 

 the frequenters of the market had doubtless come over in the pads 

 of lettuce and salads from the South of France, where the insect 

 is common enough, and is appropriately known by the name of 

 lr J a rd I ii irr. 



