20 
seems to me to be a very remarkable case of colonization, as the 
difference of soil and surroundings to the usual habitat of sulphuralis 
is very great. It would seem feasible that a species newly arriving in 
a strange locality might well escape its natural exterminators for a 
good many years, and increase and multiply at a far greater rate for 
some considerable time, until its enemies, in the form of parasites, had 
found them out, and the balance of Nature was once more adjusted. 
Touching on the increase of parasites in certain districts, I may 
mention that forty years ago the larvae of Spilote grossulariata, which 
I collected in the London district, were entirely free from any parasite 
whatever, but some years later they began to be attacked. Last year 
I gathered some 150 larvae and I should say certainly two-thirds of 
them were stung by one or other of four different species of parasites. 
It has often struck me, that many London insects are much more 
given to be stung by parasites than the same species are in less 
inhabited districts. The only reason that has ever suggested itself to 
my mind, that might possibly produce that effect, is that there are so 
few' purely insectivorous birds frequenting our London gardens, which 
would probably tend to keep down the ichneumons to some extent. 
In country districts, one or two species that appear to be most fre¬ 
quently stung, in and around London, are Acronycta psi and Acronycta 
aceris. With these species it is quite a rare thing to find a larva that 
is not stung, and yet in the country districts it is quite the reverse, 
perhaps more particularly with psi. Smerinthus ocellatus is another 
instance, and formerly Saturnia carpini was a most striking case ; but 
that insect is no longer able to live in its old habitat as the place is now 
covered with houses. 
Before concluding, I should like to express my sincere thanks to 
the officers of the society for the interest they have taken in carrying 
out the work of the society. Many of the duties entail considerable 
work and ability, and I think I am expressing not only my own 
feelings, but those of all the members, when I tender our most sincere 
thanks. 
And lastly, I have again to thank you, gentlemen, for the confidence 
you have reposed in me, in once more electing me as your President. 
I trust that the coming year will show no backward movement in our 
society, and that the many interesting phases of entomology will be 
pursued as keenly as ever. 
