FOREWORD. 



Scientific opinion in this country has for some time been alive to th^ 

 necessity of placing Entomological research in our tropical possessions in 

 Africa on a proper basis, and, the matter having been brought to the notice 

 of the Secretary of State for the (blonies, his Lordship decided to call an 

 informal meeting of certain Zoologists interested in Economic Entomology. 



The meeting was held on the 26th March, 1909, and the following 

 gentlemen attended : — 



The Earl of Crewe, K.G . Mr. K. Newstead. 



Lieut.-Col. A. Alcock, CLE,, F.R.S. Prof. G. H. E. Nuttall, E.R.S. 



Mr. E. L. Aiitrobiis, C.B. Mr. H. J. Read, C.M.G. 



Dr. G. H. Carpenter. Hon. N. Charles Rothschild. 



Dr. S. E. Harmer, E.R.S. Dr.' D. Sharp, E.R.S. 



Dr. Gordon Hewitt. Mr. R. Shelford. 



Sir Francis Hopwood, G.C.M.G., K.C.B. Dr. A. E. Shipley, E.R.S. 



Mr. E. P. Jepson Mr. E. V. Theobald. 



Mr. 0. G. Lamb. Mr. C. Warburton. 



Mr. Guy A. K. Marshall. 



All present offered their most cordial cooperation, and as a result ot tne 

 discussion, the present Committee was appointed by the Colonial Office, ^or 

 the purpose of furthering the objects in view. 



The Committee was fortunate enough to secure as Chairman, Lord 

 Cromer, who has since then taken an active and most helpful part in their 

 deliberations. ^ ^ 



I do not think I can do better in trying to outline the scope of the work 

 which the Committee hopes to undertake than to quote — not without a few 

 alterations — a minute I drew up for Lord Crewe on the 18th January, 1909. 



" Within the last few years there has been a very remarkable increase 

 in our knowledge of the role played by insects in relation to all sides of 

 human activity, and especially in our knowledge of the part played by 

 both insects and arachnids in conveying diseases caused by ai^imal 

 (Protozoa and Helminthes) and vegetable (Bacteria) parasites bqth to- 

 man and to domesticated animals. The relation of insects to the crops on 

 which man is ultimately dependent for food is also a matter demanding 

 immediate attention. 



BULL. ENT. RES. VOL. I. PART I. APRIL I9IO. B 



