71 
collecting so much the better, but, with the feelings we possess even the 
charm of collecting cannot be altogether in vain. Gentlemen, I hope 
I have not bored you with these personal reminiscences, I trust I have 
not disappointed you if you came in the expectation of hearing a 
learned peroration. I feel that science may, nay must, go largely to 
the winds for once, and that we will recapitulate our old experiences, 
fight our old battles, and enjoy the remembrances of the entomology of 
early youth, at least for a part of to-night. 
But let us not forget, in the glowing reminiscences of our youthful 
experiences, that there is a deeper and more lasting passion in middle 
age for him who wishes to drink of it. The scientific enquirer leads a 
life which the multitude know not of. He has friends whom his most 
intimate acquaintances have never seen; occupation that leaves no 
time for lassitude or ennui; thoughts that carry him far away from the 
worries and cares of life. He leads, indeed, a double life, the peculiar 
part of this second existence being that no one who has not been 
admitted into the brotherhood of this supplementary life can under¬ 
stand its interest or its charm. 
I have previously stated that I believe the best means of increas¬ 
ing the general interest in entomology, is for each and all who have 
the chance to point out the interesting side of the subject to those who 
show signs of taking an interest therein. But to leave the educational 
phase dealing rather with recruits, I would turn to that phase of it 
which affects the more advanced portion of the entomological com¬ 
munity. 
I have already pointed out that the systematic arrangement and 
naming of specimens was for many years the principal occupation of 
scientific entomology. But, side by side with these, there has always 
been an attempt to classify, as well as to name, the insects collected. As, 
however, until very recent years, the early stages of comparatively few 
insects were known (in many countries even now they are almost 
altogether unknown), it is evident that such attempts as were made 
(and in some countries are still being made) had to be based almost 
entirely on the colour, shape, form and general appearance of the per¬ 
fect insects. What conclusions were drawn from these methods you 
all know. True it is that the conspicuous Sphinx larva; the peculiar 
method of progression of the Geometrid larva, and the leaf-rolling 
habit of the Tortrix larva gave the family names to at least three large 
groups; but at the same time almost all the references to old works 
make it only too sadly evident that the details of larval structure and their 
meanings were either unknown, or if known, were not looked upon as 
essential. As, however, the larger species became more and more 
intimately studied and certain characters became recognised as impor¬ 
tant, a new era of classification sjn'ang up. This was instituted by 
Denis and Schiffermiiller, and since then many have followed their 
lead. 
It has, for a long time past, happened that the great mass of 
material collected has found its way into the hands of the authorities of 
our Museums, and hence a very large percentage of insects have been 
named by the entomologists attached thereto. It happens also, that, 
owing to the nature of such appointments, the persons selected for the 
work have usually had no special training. Prentice hands are there¬ 
fore always at work on subjects requiring a skilled workman, and the 
