136 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. r j ULY 



read 4th July, 1870, and also published in the Transactions. Before 

 the publication of these experiments this subject had been dealt with 

 only hypothetically. 



I have been twice Vice-President of the Entomological Society 

 and for seven years Treasurer, and have been a member of the Council 

 occasionally since 1849. 



Although I have written but little for publication, I ha-ve for many 

 years carried on an extensive correspondence with eminent Naturalists, 

 more particularly with the late Mr. Darwin, whose numerous letters 

 to me I treasure as of priceless value, although since his death 1 have 

 never been able to muster up courage to look at them ; during that 

 great man's life I thought of him daily and all observations or experi- 

 ments I made were in their results communicated to him. 



Owing to a weak heart, I can no longer take the exercise necessary 

 for a field naturalist, and for many years past have been much confined 

 to my study, where, in the midst of my collection, I lead a very happy life. 



Mimicry is to me now the most fascinating study, and I have 

 made a large collection of the Danaine Rhopalocera and the other 

 families of butterflies which mimic them. 



Speaking as a septuagenarian, I may say that the life of a 

 Naturalist is a very happy one, as long as he is able, he is engaged in 

 the most healthy out-door exercise, and when, through failing powers, 

 he can no longer take his pleasure to the same extent in the fields, 

 woods, mountains, and marshes, he can enjoy his collections, and his 

 library to a geater extent than those, who have never cultivated the 

 habit of enjoyment, have the least idea of. 



My official life ma}/ be condensed in a very few words : 



I entered the Customs Service in the clerical division on the 6th 

 November, 1839, and, by promotion from time fo time, became 

 Assistant, and afterwards The Accountant and Controller General, 

 the former of which offices I held for seven and the latter for ten years. 



I retired, after rather more than forty five years service, April 1885. 



MALACOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. 



May 12th, 1893. — The Malacological Society of London read the following papers 

 at this meeting, Dr. H. Woodward, F.R.S., V.P.G.S., President, being in the chair: 

 " On the Anatomy of Paryphanta," Lt -Col. Godwin-Austin : 1 New Land Shells 

 from Annam," E. A. Smith : " On the Genus Carinaria," G. B. Sowerby : " Note 

 on two species of Bulimulus," S. J. DaCosta. 



June, 9th, 1893. — The third meeting was held at 67, Chancery Lane, W.C. The 

 following were elected members: — Dr. Fischer, Colonel Parry, and Messrs. Dantzen- 

 berg and Squyer. The following papers were read : " On Nautilus, Recent and 

 Fossil," G. F. Harris, F.G.S. ; "On the distribution of Geomalacus in Ireland," 

 R. F. Scharff, D.Sc. : "On the habitat of the Genus Ephippodonta," E. H. Matthews: 

 " On the Occurrence of Cyclostrema millepunctatnm Friele in the British Seas," G. 

 W. Chaster. — E. R. Sykes, Hon. Secretary. 



