REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. The Council of the Entomological Society of Ontario begs to present its report for the year 1904-5. The forty-first annual meeting of the Society was held in London on the 26th and 27th of October, 1904, and was well attended by local members as well as by many from a distance. There were also present Prof. H. F. Wickham, of the University of Iowa, Iowa City, an eminent coleopterist and an honorary member of the Society, and Mr. T. N. Willing, Chief Inspector of Weeds and Naturalist for the Department of Agriculture, Regina, N. W. T. During the first afternoon reports were read from the various Branches, Sections and Officers of the Society, and from the Directors on the notable insects of the year in their respective districts. Mr. Willing gave an interesting account of the methods adopted in the North-West Territories for controlling noxious weeds and dealing with injurious insects. In the evening a public meeting was held at the Normal School at which the President, Professor Lochhead, read his annual address and Prof. Wickham gave an able and interesting paper, illustrated by a large number of lantern slides made from his own photographs, on "The Great Basin in the Western States and its Entomological Features." The second day was taken up with the election of officers and the reading of papers on a variety of entomological subjects. A large number of interesting specimens were also exhibited by the members present. The 35th Annual Report on economic and general entomology was sent to the Department of Agriculture in January last and in due course was presented to the Legislature of Ontario and ordered to be printed. Owing to changes in the methods adopted by the King's printers and other causes for which we are unable to account, the volume has only just been published. The great delay impairs to some extent the value of the report, and has produced wide-spread complaints from members and correspondents in all directions. In addition to the papers already referred to, the volume contains the following among other articles: "Insects injurious to Ontario crops in 1904” and the valuable "Entomological Record for 1904," by Dr. James Fletcher; "Notes on the Basswood, or Linden insects" and on "The Columbine Borer" by Mr. A. Gibson; "Insect Names and Insects Lists," by Mr. J. B. Williams; "Insects collected at light during 1904," by Mr. J. D. Evans; "Insects affecting the oak," and "the Food habits of certain Hymenoptera," by Rev. Dr. Fyles; "Notes on the Season of 1904 in Western Quebec," by Mr. C. Stevenson;." An elementary study of insects," by Prof. Lochhead; an obituary notice, with portrait of the late J. Alston Moffat. The Canadian Entomologist, the monthly magazine of the Society, has been regularly issued. The 36th annual volume was completed in December last and ten numbers of volume 37 have now been published. The volume for 1904 consisted of 367 pages and was illustrated with four full-page plates, one of which was coloured, and a number of figures from original drawings. The contributors numbered 63 and included writers in Canada, the United States and England. The articles are for the most part scientific and contain, among much other highly valuable matter, descriptions of 217 new species and varieties and 11 new genera in various orders of insects. The material contained in the volumes of our magazine is so important and necessary to scientific workers that there is a constant demand from various parts of the world for complete sets or separate volumes and numbers. During the winter months classes were held fortnightly on Saturday evenings for practical instruction in the elements of entomology as a basis for nature study work. They were attended by a number of teachers from the Public Schools in London as well as by other members of the Society The course was begun by Prof. S. B. McCready and after his appointment to the Macdonald Institute at Guelph, was continued by Dr. Bethune. When spring opened, the subject was changed to Botany, several outings to the country in the neighborhood were made, and the wild plants collected were carefully studied. Owing to various causes, especially to the absence or want of time on the part of the leaders, no formal meetings of the Sections were held. A number of popular lectures, illustrated by lantern pictures, were given by Dr. Bethune on insects and by Mr. W. E. Saunders on birds, under the auspices of various organizations in London and some of the neighboring towns. Prof. Lochhead also has given lectures at several places on entomological and other subjects. The reports from the branches of the Society at Montreal, Quebec and Toronto are highly satisfactory; great interest is taken in their proceedings by the local members and much good work has been accomplished. The Council has much gratification in recording the formation of an active Branch in British Columbia, with head-quarters at Vancouver and an initial membership of eighteen; quarterly meetings are held and it is expected that, with so many energetic and enthusiastic members, rapid advancement will be made in the knowledge of the insect fauna of the Pacific Province. To-day the Council has the additional pleasure of authorizing the formation of a Branch here at Guelph and welcoming the members to our annual meeting. The large number of members, no less than 24 at the outset and the presence of Professors and Students of the Agricultural College and Macdonald Institute, give the Branch a unique position and ensure its permanent success. The Council desires to record its sorrow at the loss of one of its earliest Honorary members, Professor Alpheus S. Packard, M.D., who died at Providence, Rhode Island, on the 14th of February last. He was a distinguished entomologist, and author of a large number of books, both popular and scientific, on a variety of entomological and biological subjects; he also contributed from time to time to the "Canadian Entomologist." His name is held in high honour in Europe as well as throughout North America. The Council has much pleasure in offering its hearty congratulations to Professor Lochhead on his appointment to an important position on the staff of the new Macdonald Institution at St. Anne's, P.Q., and has every confidence that, in his new sphere of active duty, he will continue to do good work in economic and scientific entomology and extend the influence of our Society. To Professor Franklin Sherman, who has recently been appointed to the chair of entomology in the Ontario Agricultural College, the Council extends a cordial welcome, and feels assured that he will prove thoroughly efficient in his work and do much to encourage and direct his students in the earnest pursuit of this Department of Natural Science. The outlook for the Society was never brighter or better, and the Council calls upon each member to do his share, in his own neighbourhood, in making investigations in insect life and extending the usefulness and influence of the Society. All which is respectfully submitted. JOHN D. EVANS, President. REPORT OF THE MONTREAL BRANCH. The 267th regular, and 32nd annual meeting of the Montreal Branch of the Entomological Society of Ontario was held on May 8th, 1905, at the rooms of the Natural History Society. The following members were present,-A. E. Norris, (President); A. F. Winn; D. Brainerd; Alfred Griffin; L. Gibb; G. Chagnon; E. C. Barwick; G. R. Southee; S. Robinson; Chas. Stevenson; Geo. A. Moore; H. H. Lyman; and four visitors. Minutes of April meeting were read and confirmed, and those of the last annual meeting were taken as read. The President read the following REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. The Council in submitting this report feel encouraged in knowing that the Society is not only keeping up its honorable traditions, but is going ahead in a manner worthy of the strenuous times in which we are now passing. Nine regular meetings have been held during the year, the average attendance being a fraction over 7. Twenty-six papers were read, viz. President's address, Chas. Stevenson. A talk on Lycaenidæ, A. F. Winn. Hydrœcias, illustrated by colored slides, A. E. Norris. Leaf Hoppers, Fam. Jassidæ, G. A. Moore. Pontia rapæ, n. var. rhaphanus, C. Stevenson. Notes on Saperda, G. Chagnon. Cydnida-Burrowing Bugs, G. A. Moore. Notes on some types, and other specimens in the Br. Museum, H. H. Lyman. The water-lily moth, A. F. Winn. Notes on travel, with random observations on Entomology, H. H. Lyman. Brief notes on breeding specimens of the past season, H. H. Lyman. Notes on Canadian species of Donacia, G. Chagnon. Notes on Hemiptera for season 1904, Geo. A. Moore. Stenopelmatus fasciatus-The sand cricket, A. F. Winn. Small-headed fly-Pterodontia flavipes, Gray, Chas. Stevenson. Report on annual meeting at London, H. H. Lyman. Berytidae, or Stilt-bugs, Geo. H. Moore. More about Micro Lepidoptera, A. F. Winn. Notes on the species of Saperda in my collection, C. Chagnon. Criocephalus obsoletus and Asemum moestum, a correction, G. Chagnon. How to describe larvæ, H. H. Lyman. Field days were held at St. Hilaire, Que., May 24th and July 1st and at the Maisonneuve Woods on April 21st, 1905. At the annual meeting held at London, the branch was represented by Mr. Lyman. During the year two new members were added to the Society. (Signed), A. E. NORRIS, President, The Treasurer submitted his report, showing a balance on hand of $58.71. Reports of the acting Curator and Libarian were presented, and on motion of Mr. Winn, seconded by Mr. Brainerd, were received and adopted. Mr. Norris read his annual address. The election of officers for the coming year resulted as follows: Vice-President, Geo. A. Moore. Curator and Librarian, Chas. Stevenson. Council, E. Denny, L. Gibb; H. H. Lyman, G. Chagnon. It was decided to hold a field day at St. Hilare on May 24th and that the Council should also arrange for a suitable place to spend July 1st. Mr. Winn reported that the President of the Natural History Society had invited the Branch to attend their outing at Mount Johnston, on Saturday June 10th, and in order to encourage entomological collections moved, seconded by Mr. Chagnon, that the Branch should provide two books suitable for entomological prizes to the Natural History Society for the best collections made on that occasion. Mr. Norris gave a talk on butterflies and moths, illustrated by original, colored lantern slides. He was assisted at the lantern by Mr. Griffin. The meeting then adjourned. (Signed), GEO. A. MOORE. REPORT OF THE QUEBEC BRANCH. The annual meeting of the Quebec Branch was held on the 8th day of November, 1905, at the house of the President. There were present: The Rev. T. W. Fyles in the chair, the Rev. W. W. McCuaig, Lt.-col. Crawford Lindsay, J. H. Simmons, Esq., Mrs. R. Turner, Mrs. Simmons, Mrs. Poston, Mrs. Fyles, Miss Hamel, Miss Freeman, Miss Bickell, Miss Hedge, Miss W. Fyles, Miss Russell. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. A. R. M. Boulton was elected a member of the Branch. The President then addressed the meeting upon some of the noteworthy entomological incidents of the year: the alarmist articles in the public press upon the larvæ of Orgyia antiqua and O. leucostigma; the interesting discovery by Mr. C. W. Nash of Toronto of a fungus that takes possession of the wireworm, much as Cordyceps melalonthae does of the white grub; the abundance of the spiny caterpillars of Cynthia cardui upon the burdocks and holly-hocks; the appearance at Quebec, in great numbers, of the cotton moth, Aletia argillacea; late captures including that of Catocala relicta at the electric light, etc. The officers elected were: President, Rev. Dr. Fyles; Vice-President, Miss E. Macdonald; Secretary-treasurer, Lt.-Col. Crawford Lindsay; Council, Hon. R. Turner, Rev. W. W. McCuaig, Mrs. Turner, Miss Bickell, Miss Freeman. Hearty votes of thanks were passed to the President and the Secretarytreasurer and the hostess of the occasion. REPORT OF COUNCIL. The Branch now includes 25 members (22 adults and 3 juniors). The Treasurer's report will be submitted and will no doubt be found satisfactory. During the year interesting lectures were delivered by the President. The Council regret to have to record the death of one of the members, Mrs. Morgan. A resolution of condolence was passed and forwarded to the husband of the deceased, Major James Morgan, and to her relatives. Our thanks are due to the authorities of Morrin College for having continued to allow us to use their rooms for our meetings. CRAWFORD LINDSAY, REPORT OF THE TORONTO BRANCH. The ninth annual meeting of the Toronto Branch of the Entomological Society of Ontario was held in the Provincial Museum, St. James's Square, on June 22nd, 1905. The President Dr. Brodie was in the chair, and the following members were present: Messrs. Paul Hahn, J. B. Williams, R. Hallam, M. Hallam, J. H. Webb, Dr. E. M. Walker, J. H. Maughan, Junr., and Dr. Abbott. The Secretary, Wm. John Maughan, Junr., read the following report. "Your Secretary-Treasurer, has the pleasure to announce another year's statement of prosperity and advancement for 1904-5. We have kept our membership up, and although some members have moved away, other new ones have joined. The list of papers and lectures attached hereto have been splendidly descriptive and scientifically accurate, and not a few of them covered new and hitherto unknown material; some have been illustrated by lantern, others by specimens, charts, and drawings; putting before the members most completely all material connected therewith. The attendance at meetings has been good, although the weather at times has not been propitious. Your Secretary-Treasurer has also to announce that the Librarian-Curator has arranged and hung in the museum another large case of specimens, showing moths found in and near Toronto; also to thank members for their kind donations both of specimens and publications. It is with sincere regret that your Secretary-Treasurer announces his withdrawal from the position he has held for some years past, and begs to thank the members, as a whole, for their kindness and courtesy shown to him on all occasions. All of which is respectfully submitted. (Signed) J. MAUGHAN, JR., Secretary-Treasurer. List of papers read, 1904-5. "The Leaf-cutting bee (Megachile brevis) and its Parasite", Dr. Brodie. "A week at Lorne Park," J. B. Williams. "Insects of North Ontario," G. M. Stewart. "Galls of Oak," Dr. Brodie. "Orthoptera, " Dr. E. M. Walker. "Scales on Butterflies Wings," J. B. Williams. "The Tussock Moth and its Parasitical Life," Dr. Brodie. "Dragon flies," Dr. E. M. Walker. "A trip to Algonquin Park," Paul Hahn. |