THE ENTOLOMOGIST’S WEEKLY INTELLIGENCEK. 191 
of this Society was held at the Society’s 
rooms, on the evening of Monday, the 
7th of February, when the following 
gentlemen were elected officers for the 
year; — the Rev. S. L. Wilson, M.A., as 
Honorary President; Mr. W. Broom, 
Vice-President ; a Committee consisting 
of the following gentlemen, Messrs. E. 
Bates, J. Steel, J. Ball, W. Oldham, 
S. Barlow, J. Beresford, J. Down, G. 
Broadhurst; James Swinorlon, Esq., 
Treasurer; and Daniel Gibbon Goodall, 
Secretary, There was a tremendous 
feeling in the Society that we should 
possess the new work on the British Tor- 
trices, by S. J. Wilkinson. — Daniel 
Gibbon Goodall; Feh. 14, 
CO-OPERATIVE ENTOMOLOGICAL 
SOCIETY. 
To the Editor of the ‘ Intelligencer.’ 
Sir, — As with the first railway, so is 
the starting of any new project ; at its 
onset pooh-poohed by the majority, smiled 
at incredulously by many, and advocated 
only by a few apparently insane indi- 
viduals, but by far the wisest (considering 
the age in which we live) are the in- 
credulous batch who shake their heads, 
and cry, “We shall see,” for when the 
result appears, they answer, “ Did I not 
say so from the first?” or if the plan fail, 
“ Did you not see me shake my head?” 
Just as marble when heated will, though 
very hot, soon cool again, so are these 
incredulous people the non-conductors 
of Society, who, if left to themselves, 
would never carry out any plan or idea, 
however much they may take the credit 
for foresight as to the result. 
But a Co-operative Entomological So- ' 
ciety has been proposed. Will it answer ? 
Were such a Society formed in humble 
rooms, were one zealous individual to be 
elected Honorary Secretary (with greater 
privileges of course), rvere the members 
of such a Society to meet, write, exchange 
lists, supply wants, or even advertise for 
each others’ desiderata, — were they to talk 
or write to one another telling the how, 
the when and the where of insects, — were 
the refuse stock annually to be distributed 
to indigent beginners (with the hopes of 
interest in better times perhaps), — how 
much might be gained and how little 
lost! Many, very many, I hope, would 
willingly assist such an undertaking 
without hope of return. As regards a 
precise number of specimens for each 
member to remit, that, as Professor Syme 
says, is impossible, — quality as well as 
quantity must be regarded. I would say, 
let each one do his best ; only let a 
Council be formed, meet, know one ano- 
ther (in a garret, if you please), and the 
rest is easy, — namely, to form a Society, 
at once inexpensive and profitable to its 
members. 
Again, as Professor Syme remarks, it 
is assuredly better not to attempt too 
much at first, and as it is also to be de- 
sired that we should not quarrel, at any 
rate at the commencement, it will mani- 
festly be advisable, for the present, to 
exclude Coleoptera. Let us always bear 
in mind the substance of the last pages 
of ‘ Practical Hints,’ which every ento- 
mologist, and especially the tyro, ought 
to read, re-read and read again. “ Let us 
consider how far sweeter it is to give 
than to receive — always provided it to be 
a worthy object” (C. Sims, Esq., e.g.)^ 
and, above all, let every member con- 
scientiously devote his energies to the 
welfare of the institute. 
With every hope that should such a 
Society be formed, it will be carried 
on in an honourable and peaceable 
manner, 
I am, &c., 
0. Weshalsea. 
