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come to the Meetings would do so more frequently if they 

 had something to learn. It is not necessary that the paper 

 should last the whole evening. Individually, I prefer short 

 communications, — they are generally more interesting, and 

 likely to lead to animated discussions. Most of us, in the 

 course of our studies, come across something which is new to 

 us, and probably to others, and it may be new to science. 

 How much wiser to have it recorded and discussed at the 

 time when the observation is fresh in the memory, instead of 

 saying nothing about it except to a chosen few, when after 

 a time it is forgotten, perhaps to be re-discovered by some 

 one else, who receives all the honour. 



The Exhibits during the year have been exceedingly 

 numerous and interesting, thus showing that the Members are 

 hard at work adding to their collections. Perhaps the 

 paucity of papers may thus be accounted for. 



Our financial condition is, thanks to our energetic Treasurer, 

 in a very fair condition ; so also is the Library, and Entomo- 

 logical and Botanical Collections ; and the thanks of the 

 Society are due to the gentlemen who have so kindly under- 

 taken the charge of them. 



On March 27th, our former worthy secretary, Mr. Miles, 

 had to resign office, his business calling him abroad, and thus 

 placing us in a difficulty. But our friend, Mr. W. A. Pearce, 

 kindly came to the rescue and undertook the arduous work, 

 and right well has he performed the task. I am sure you will 

 all support me in thanking him, not only for his assistance, 

 but also for the valuable and artistic present he made to the 

 Club. I refer to the illuminated code of rules, which is 

 doubly valuable to us, being the work of his own hands. 



Having glanced at the social condition of our Club, let us 

 look into its scientific status, and the study of Entomology 

 generally. The unscientific world very much retards the 

 advance of our study, especially with beginners, by holding 

 us up to ridicule. I have myself had to put up with being 

 called " fly-catcher," " bug-hunter," and various other epithets, 

 more forcible than polite ; and also by being followed (when 



