20 



information, especially in reference to those insects injurious to agriculture; with this in 

 view we have lately issued a number of blank forms for describing insects, which will be 

 sent to any one desiring them on application to either of the officers in London. By this 

 means we hope to secure fuller details and more uniform descriptions of insect pests, so 

 that they may be more readily determined. The officers and members of the Council have- 

 also embraced every opportunity afforded them of visiting localities specially affected by 

 destructive insects, and have endeavoured to disseminate among the sufferers practical 

 information in regard to the most effective remedies for such evils. The demand for our 

 Annual Reports from all parts of the world has much increased since the publication last 

 year of the general index. It is a matter of regret that the issue of several of the earlier 

 reports is entirely exhausted, and there is now no means of supplying the demand. Our 

 monthly journal, now in the sixteenth year of its existence, continues also to grow in 

 public favour. 



During the past year reports of great value in reference to destructive injects have- 

 been published by the Department of Agriculture, at Washington, under the able direc- 

 tion of Prof. C. V. Riley ; a most excellent and voluminous report from the pen. ci Prof. J.. 

 A. Lintner, State Entomologist, has been printed and distributed by the State of New 

 York. Much useful work has also been accomplished in the same direction by Prof. A,. 

 S. Forbes, State Entomologist of Illinois ; by Prof. Herbert Osborn, of the Iowa Agricul- 

 tural College, and others. Many additional. parts have appeared of that superbly illus- 

 trated work on North American butterflies, by Mr. W. H. Edwards ; the same talented 

 author has also now in the press a revised catalogue of the butterflies of North America. 

 The recent meeting of the Entomological Club of the American Association for the- 

 Advancement of Science, held in Philadelphia, was one of unusual interest, most of the 

 leading Entomologists on this Continent being present. A full report of the proceedings- 

 has been prepai 



In concluding, permit me to urge upon you all renewed diligence in your studies of 

 insect life, be patient and faithful in observing, be prompt in publishing the results of 

 your observations. The field we laboi.r in is so vast that life is too short to permit any 

 one of us to do much, especially when the limited time is taxed by other pressing engage- 

 Nevertheless, let us do what we can to unravel the mysteries relating to these- 

 much- despised atoms of existence, the opportunity is ever before us. 



" Ten thousand forms, ten thousand different tribes, 

 pie the blaze of day," 



and when the brightness of the sunshine has faded there are tribes equally numerous and 

 attractive which rise not from their couch until their more obtrusive brethren have retired 

 i. Whether it is ours to employ portions of the night or the day in this charming: 

 occupation we shall not in either case fad to find manifested in the beauty of form and in 

 the instincts with which these, tiny creatures are endowed, manifold evidence of the wisdom- 

 and goodness of the gi oat Author 



ELECTION OF OFFICERS. 



The foliov, ing named gentlemen were then duly elected as officers of the Society for 

 the ensuing year : — 



President — William Saunders, London, Ontario. 



■President — James Fletcher, Ottawa, Ontario. 



Secretary-Treasurer and Librarian — E. Baynes Reed, London, Ontario. 



Council— Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, M.A., Port Hope; Rev. T. W. Fyles, South* 

 Quebec; W. H. Harrington, Ottawa; J. M. Denton, London; J. Alston Moffatt.. 

 Hamilton. 



