suggested the usual remedies for this trouble ; advice which, if persistently followed will, 

 no doubt, soon reduce the numbers of the insects to about their normal proportion. Mr. 

 "Whitehead also has been actively engaged in investigating this important subject and in 

 disseminating information among farmers. 



Having been absent in Europe during the spring and early summer months, I have 

 been unable to give the usual attention to Entomological subjects. While in England I 

 had the privilege of seeing several fine collections of insects, but none gave me more 

 pleasure in inspecting than that of the immortal Linnaeus, the results of whose painstaking 

 work is carefully preserved in the library of the Linnaean Society. Through the kindness 

 of Dr. James Murie, the librarian, I was permitted to inspect this interesting cabinet, 

 where every specimen bears evidence of having been mounted and named by this great 

 master in natural history. One could not help dwelling in thought on the marvellous 

 progress which has attended the study of natural science, since the master mind of this 

 wonderful genius was brought to bear on the simplification of its nomenclature. 



Every facility was also afforded me for examining the marvellously complete collec- 

 tions of insects in the natural history department of the British Museum in Kensington, 

 under the kind guidance of Messrs. Butler and Kirby. Both these gentlemen did all in 

 their power to make my visits to that institution both pleasant and profitable, and showed 

 me many kindnesses which will never be forgotten. The collections of butterflies here are 

 especially wonderful in their completeness. Take for instance the species composing the 

 genera Pieris and Colias, and beginning with the plain ground colour of white or yellow, 

 one can trace the black bordering of the wings through all the different gradations from 

 the faintest marginal outline to the heaviest and widest bands, and the transition is so 

 gradual that it is extremely difficult to say where one species ends and another begins. 



While passing through the extensive grape-growing regions in the south of France, a 

 sharp eye was kept on the vineyards with the view of detecting evidences of Phylloxera. 

 I am pleased to report that I saw but few indications of its presence, and from encpiiries 

 made, the conclusion was reached that this insect pest which, a short time ago, was so 

 exceedingly destructive to the vine-growing interests, is now doing comparatively little 

 harm. It was the occasion of much regret that the limited time at my disposal would not 

 permit me to visit any of the noted collections of insects to be found in most of the large 

 cities in Europe. 



While in London an opportunity was afforded me, which I gladly availed myself of, 

 that of visiting the South Kensington Museum, in company with Miss Ormerod, and of 

 inspecting the work of that talented lady as displayed in the cases of insects mounted, and 

 the preparations made by her to illustrate the life history of injurious insects and depict 

 their ravages, forming a most interesting and complete series of object lessons in this 

 important economic department of entomological science. I was also present at one of the 

 monthly meetings of the Entomological Society of London, where I had the good fortune 

 to meet many entomologists of note, including the venerable Professor Westwood, H. T. 

 Stainton, Esq., Mr. McLachlan, and others. All treated the stranger with the greatest 

 possible courtesy and kindness, and at the same time manifested the warmest interest in 

 everything relating to the progress of entomology in Canada. 



During the past year there have appeared several important works on economic ento- 

 mology, prominent among which may be mentioned the reports from the Entomological 

 Bureau of the Department of Agriculture at Washington, under the direction of Professor 

 C. Y. Riley, and the report of Professor J. A. Lintner, State Entomologist of New York. 

 In both these publications are recorded a number of useful observations and many new 

 facts relating to the life history and habits of the species treated of. Among other 

 important works on entomology may be mentioned the continuance of that magnificent 

 work on the " Butterflies of North America," by W. H. Edwards, and a volume on the 

 "Butterflies of the Eastern States," by G-. H. French, of Carbondale, Illinois. 



At the recent meeting of the Entomological Club of the*American Association for the 

 Advancement of Science, held in Buffalo, N.Y., our Society was represented by the Presi- 

 dent, Yice-President, Secretary, and Mr. J. Alston Moffat. Our Society was honoured in 

 the election of our Secretary, Mr. E. Baynes Peed, to be Secretary of the Club. The local 

 members did all in their power to make the gathering a pleasant one, and in addition to 



