49 
adds that, as he has “ frequently repeated this experiment with this 
result, it cannot possibly be a matter of mere chance.” He does not 
attempt to explain this, but it appears to me that the moisture acts 
here in the direction of setting free the latent power of hybernation in 
the pupa, and that the imago then goes on to develop under abnormal 
conditions. The failure of colour, etc., is a physical process, and is 
brought about, probably, by the abnormality of the environment, which 
refuses, as it were, to allow the formation of the pigment under 
sufficiently satisfactory conditions to produce a normal result. 
I had intended to make a few critical suggestions on Dr. Standfuss’ 
experiments in 1895 (translated by Dr. Dixey), and Weismann’s 
“Seasonal dimorphism of Lepidoptera ” (translated by Mr. W. E. 
Nicholson) during the present year. Our obligations (or, rather 
the obligations of those of us to whom the reading of German is a 
toil and trouble) to these gentlemen are very great, for they keep us 
in touch with experimental scientific entomology abroad, and make 
science really, what it is always assumed to be theoretically, cosmo¬ 
politan. I have, however, spent too much time on other matters to 
do more than thus casually refer to these important papers. 
This meeting brings to a close another year of the already long 
existence of our Society. I feel a tinge of regret that one of our old 
officials, Mr. Gurney, is retiring from the post of Librarian, which he 
has held so satisfactorily and so long. He was the Librarian when 
I joined this Society, and has remained so ever since. Other changes 
have taken place, the most important of which is that Mr. J. A. Clark 
ceases, after many years, to be our Treasurer. These changes are 
unavoidable in a society like our own. We can only hope that the new 
blood will prove as faithful to our aims and aspirations as the old, 
and there is every reason to believe that this will be so. That you 
have elected me President for another year is more than gratifying to 
me personally, and perhaps sufficient proof that I have, in a small 
measure at least, earned your approval of my general action in the 
conduct of your meetings during the past year. Success, of course, 
is only possible when one has the goodwill and ungrudging support of 
the officers and members. That I have had this goes without saying, 
and for the unvarying kindness I have received, I can only offer to you 
all my heartiest thanks, and wish that the year which commences 
with our next meeting will be more satisfactory than the last, 
financially, and as successful, both as a means of enabling us to know 
one another more intimately and of promoting the best interests of 
the subject we all have at heart. 
18 FEB. 97 
