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THE YOUNG NATUEALIST. 



buted very materially to its prosperity. The toast being enthusiastically 

 drank, Mr. Henderson suitably replied, and before resuming his seat proposed 

 " The Croupier," who has done so much to help the Society in many ways, 

 and Major Bennett acknowledged the honour in a few words. The health 

 of Mr. John Young, F.G.S., was then proposed, and suitably acknowledged. 

 Songs during the evening were contributed by several gentlemen including 

 Messrs. John Young, C. B. Cross, Walker, etc. After spending a most 

 enjoyable evening, the social gathering broke up at a somewhat late hour, 

 by singing " Auld Lang Syne/' — John Mackay, Secretary. 



OBITUARY. 



JAMES McGROUTHER. 



It is with the sincerest regret that I have to intimate the death of my 

 friend Mr. James McGrouther, which took place on Friday, February 4th, 

 at 61, Grant Street, Glasgow. Mr. McGrouther' s name is so familiar to 

 many readers of the " Young Naturalist," both as a contributor to the earlier 

 numbers and as a personal correspondent, that it would not be out of place 

 to give a short sketch of his entomological career. 



He was born in Glasgow in 1864, and was therefore only in his 23rd year 

 when he died. He was chiefly educated at private schools, and latterly at the 

 Western Academy, Glasgow. In 1883, Mr. G. A. Henty, the Standard's 

 War Correspondent in the Franco-Prussians war, formed the u Union Jack 

 Field Club," for the study of natural history • and, I am sure, many of my 

 readers will remember the good work performed by this club in stimulating 

 so many young men, in all parts of Britain, to take an active interest in the 

 study of natural history. Several branches of the U.J.E.C. were started in 

 Glasgow, the most energetic of which was the Glasgow (Western) branch, of 

 which, I believe, Mr. McGrouther was president, and it was while connected 

 with this society that he first commenced the practical study of entomology. 

 In the course of a year or two these clubs gradually disappeared, not, how- 

 ever, without having produced a number of real conscientious workers in 

 entomology, whose love for the study was not a mere transient whim. In 

 1883 it occurred to me that, as these entomologists were working mostly by 

 themselves, and had not often the pleasure of meeting a " brother of the net," 

 it would be a wise plan if a society were formed where those individuals 

 could meet once a month and exchange notes, exhibit specimens, and gen- 

 erally help one another in the study. I approached Mr. McGrouther on 

 the subject, but he was somewhat doubtful about its chance of success. The 

 subject was frequently spoken of, until at last in September of that year, the 



