histories of species, some of which have been minutely described in all their stages, and 

 among them many injurious to agriculture. 



With a view to popularize the Science of Entomology and to encourage beginners in 

 the study, a special series of illustrated articles has been published which we hope will 

 have the effect of increasing the numbers of observers in this important branch of biology. 

 To further this end and fco systematize the descriptive work being done in such a manner 

 as to secure uniformity in this department of research, the Council have prepared forms 

 containing instructions for describing insects in their different stages. 



There has also appeared during the year in the Canadian Entomologist much valuable- 

 information in reference to the geographical distribution of North American insects. 



For the benefit of those interested in agriculture and horticulture, the Annual Report, 

 which is always devoted to this practical aspect of the study, has recently been published 

 covering 83 pages and embracing the report of the Council, the treasurer's statement, the 

 president's inaugural address, in which a review is given not only of the work of the So- 

 ciety during the year, but also of most of the important events of interest tq_entomologists 

 in North America, as well as popular articles giving descriptions of, and remedies for, such 

 insect foes as may have been found particularly injurious to our forest trees and field 

 crops. 



In addition to this a circular is being now prepared for circulation among the farmers' 

 and agriculturists of the province, requesting them to report as promptly as possible on any 

 insects which they may find injuring their crops, with a view to the suggestion of appro- 

 priate remedies. 



The membership of the Society still increases and now stands at about 400, and we 

 have on our roll members who are working for us in every province in the Dominion, as 

 well as many of the leading entomologists in the United States. We have, however, to de- 

 plore with the whole scientific world, the loss by death during the past year of some of 

 our most active members. Of these special mention may be made of Prof. Croft, the 

 founder of our Society, and Dr. J. L. LeConte, the celebrated coleopterist. 



The large collections of the Society have been further added to and the library con- 

 siderably augmented, their usefulness for pin-poses of reference and study thus being much 

 increased. 



At the request of the Dominion Government, the Society undertook the preparation 

 of a collection of specmiens designed to illustrate insects injurious and beneficial to fish, 

 to be exhibited in the International Fisheries Exhibition held last year in England. This 

 collection consisting of forty cases was prepared and sent forward to London, where it 

 formed a most useful and attractive feature of the Canadian exhibit, and its merits were 

 recognized by the award of a silver medal. 



The Council of the Entomological Society of Ontario are glad to learn that the 

 suggestions contained in their Report to your Honourable Society last year, with regard 

 to increased facilities for the transmission of Natural History specimens by mail, are, in. 

 response to a petition from the Naturalists and students of Science in Canada, receiving 

 favourable consideration from the Hon. the Postmaster General, and they trust that the 

 Royal Society of Canada will continue to use its influence in this direction on behalf of 

 the students of Natural History. 



James Fletcher, 



Delegate. 



Mr. Saunders then presented the following exceedingly interesting report of the meet- 

 ings of the Entomological Club of the American Association for the Advancement of 

 Science recently held in Philadelphia, which he had attended as a delegate from the Ento- 

 mological Society of Ontario. In submitting it he stated that this was one of the fullest 

 reports which had ever been prepared of the discussions of that important body — a result 

 arising from the fact that it embodied a large proportion of the minutes taken by the ex- 

 cellent secretary of the club, Mr. John B. Smith, of Brooklyn, N. Y., who had taken down 

 the remarks of the members in shorthand and afterwards written them out in full. 

 Through the kindness of Mr. Smith a copy of these minutes had been placed at his^ 

 disposal. 



