13 
records of the Society’s doings during the past seventeen years has 
failed to reveal any record equal to this, and it is to be hoped that, 
having left the fatal number 75 well behind, we shall soon be requir¬ 
ing an enlarged prospectus to accommodate a steadily increasing 
membership. 
The attendance at the meetings should be a reliable indicator to 
the Society’s activity, and here, also, an advance can be recorded. 
The average attendance per meeting in 1906 worked out at 16-55, 
while for 1907 it is 17-55. The highest average on record is, appar¬ 
ently, 18-0 in 1903; the increase in our numbers should enable us to beat 
the average next year. Next year, be it noted, is the Society’s jubilee 
year, and it would be satisfactory to commemorate same by a record 
membership and a record attendance. 
The increasing attendance and the more numerous exhibits conse¬ 
quent thereon make it more than ever impossible for the reporting 
secretary to record all the exhibits from his own observations; and 
he frankly confesses once again that he has no intention of attempting 
the impossible. Members are, therefore, once more urged to furnish 
notes on all points worth recording in connection with their exhibits. 
The attendance of visitors, unfortunately, goes from bad to 
worse. In 1905 we averaged 1 visitor per meeting; in 1906, mathe¬ 
matically speaking, only 0-85 of a visitor graced each gathering, while 
this year the figure has dwindled to 0-6. As about a third of those 
whose names have appeared on the visitor side of our attendance book 
during the past four or five years have ultimately become members, 
this falling off in the number of visitors is obviously a matter for 
regret. 
The largest gathering of the year was on “ exchange night,” 
which has proved a popular fixture ever since its introduction in 1903. 
In connection with this meeting it is worth noting that this year there 
was more real exchanging going on, and considerably less of that 
display of faith in the old saw that “ the Lord helps those who help 
themselves,” which has tended to detract from the enjoyment of 
previous exchange evenings. This is a step in the right direction and 
should encourage the display of more really good insects, thereby 
rendering the occasion still more attractive. However generous an 
entomologist may be he cannot but feel somewhat discouraged if his 
invitation to “ help yourselves ” is obeyed so literally that his box is 
converted into a receptacle for a mere aching void. 
In respect of our field meetings Providence—or the clerk of the 
weather—proved less kind. Arrangements were made for three, viz., 
to Worley, on June 15th; Chalfont Road, July 6th; and Reigate, 
July 27th. The first meeting was rendered impossible to all but one 
or two ultra-adventurous spirits by torrential rain; the second was 
more fortunate as regards the weather of the moment, but insects 
were lacking owing to the generally inclement season. On the third 
occasion the weather was cold and dull, and lepidoptera were con¬ 
spicuous by their absence. 
There is, unfortunately, not much to record in the matter of 
donations. Our worthy President has repeated his annual gift of 
a volume of the “ Record,” and this constitutes the only substantial 
