Entomological Society. 4223 



absolute contact with the insect : in the first this contact is entirely 

 beneficial ; in the others entirely the reverse : and mankind would be 

 infinitely indebted to the entomologist who should, by attentive ob- 

 servation, detect the means of increasing the benefit or of mitigating 

 the injury. To the discussions which have resulted from these and 

 other communications, I have always listened with the deepest in- 

 terest and most profound attention ; and I have been peculiarly 

 gratified to observe the uniformly courteous manner in which they 

 have been conducted. There is scarcely one scientific subject which 

 we can all view in the same light, and the difference of opinion, which 

 of necessity results from the different mental constitution of individuals, 

 is in itself an important element in our search after that truth which is 

 the kernel of the whole question, the reward we obtain for our labour 

 in clearing away the tasteless and seemingly impenetrable husk with 

 which we so often find it invested. Nevertheless, this difference 

 should ever be urged, as it has been, with that courtesy and that re- 

 spect for the feelings and the judgment of others, which dignifies alike 

 the original opinion and the objection, and which evinces a love of 

 truth overcoming a love of conquest. I could wish that a month's notice 

 were given of any paper likely to excite such discussions : the most 

 prosperous of all our Societies, the Royal Geographical, adopts this 

 course; and I have actually read this day in the ' Morning Herald' an 

 advertisement of the papers next to be discussed : by this expedient 

 we should escape both objections and adhesions carelessly and hastily 

 given, and out of our abundant printed " treasures, things new and 

 old might be brought forth," and thus much additional information 

 diffused among our members : it has several times struck me as some- 

 what inconsistent for any scientific body to discuss, as new, matters 

 which have long since been carefully investigated by our predecessors. 

 But these remarks do not, in any degree, apply to the mere introduc- 

 tion of papers : gladly would I see the greatest possible encourage- 

 ment given to such introduction ; and no one could object to being 

 referred, with courtesy, to sources whence he might derive more per- 

 fect information. 



On one subject I venture to express an opinion at variance with 

 what appears a prescriptive practice. I repeatedly find in entomolo- 

 gical works the indication of a desire to depreciate that particular 

 branch of the science which some one else has taken, or is supposed 

 to be taking up. Such terms as " species-man," " mere collector," 

 " theorist," and many others, need but be quoted in explanation of un- 

 meaning. Now the sentiment implied by such expressions is unphilo- 



