President's Address lix 
tribution to the great astronomical problem which we have been consider- 
ing. From a more everyday point of view, however, its importance to 
the Colony is infinitely higher. In my last address in 1881, I urged its 
commencement; I rejoice now to be able to announce its eminently 
satisfactory conclusion. As akindred subject may be here mentioned 
Mr. Fourcade’s remarkable paper ‘On the Measurement of Angles by 
Repetition,’ in which the writer, in my opinion, has cleared up the pre- 
vious causes of failure in this method of measuring horizontal angles. 
ASTRONOMY has found in Mr. A. W. Roberts, of Lovedale, a valuable 
worker, especially in the field of variable stars, His catalogue of 
southern variables, and his note on the variations of R. Are, are 
welcome contributions to our ‘ Transactions.’ 
NaATuRAL History.—Mr. Péringuey has been our most active 
member ; his exhibits of parasitic insects, and original observations and 
discoveries in the same field, have been among the most interesting and 
useful minor contributions to the Society. His three papers, though 
dealing with one group of South African insects—Coleoptera—differ in 
scope. The ‘Third Contribution to the South African Coleopterous 
Fauna’ deals with a collection formed by Mr. A. W. Erickson during two 
visits to Northern Ovampoland and the adjacent tracts. His ‘ Fourth 
Contribution’ describes new species in the collection of the South 
African Museum ; while in the ‘ Descriptive Catalogue of the Coleoptera 
of South Africa’ we have the commencement of a work intended to 
include the entire coleopterous fauna up to 16° south latitude. This 
Jast is most important as the first instalment of a much-needed work, 
dealing thoroughly and completely with a very large and characteristic 
portion of the South African insect fauna, embracing as it does all 
the known Cincindelide, or tiger-beetles inhabiting the sub-region, and 
giving diagnosis of the sub-families and genera, as well as descriptions 
of all the species. 7 
To Dr. Muir the Society is indebted for energetic action with respect 
to the record, and we may hope afterwards the protection by Govern- 
ment, of Bushmen drawings. Of exhibits—the discussion of which has 
led to many an interesting evening—lI do not propose to speak in detail ; 
but I would express my regret that no more complete and permanent 
record exists of discussions which were full of interest at the time. 
I note with pleasure the accession to our Society of some new members 
who have given proof of capacity and desire to become active workers 
in the rich field which South Africa opens in nearly every department 
of natural science. 
I feel sure that the Society will be with me if I ask it to record an 
expression of the satisfaction with which it notes the provision that has 
at last been made for the building of a new Museum more worthy of the 
