43'2 



THE PRESENT POSITION OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 



IN INDIA. 



BY 



H. MAXWELL-LEFROY, M.A., F.E.S., F.Z.S., 



Entomologist to the Government of India, 



Lately Entomologist to the Imperial Department of 

 Agriculture for the West Indies. 



(Bead before the Bombay JVafural History Society on 

 17th December 1903.) 



1. Introduction. 



2. Economic Entomology. 



3. Entomology. 



a. Systematic. 



b. Life History and Habits. 



c. Checks. 



d. Morphology, etc. 



e. Insects and Plants. 



4. Agriculture. 



5. Mechanical. 



6. Indian Conditions. 



7. Conclusion. 



1. INTRODUCTION. 



In this paper I propose to discuss the progress made in the study of 

 Economic Entomology in India and the point to which this subject has 

 been carried. This is a somewhat large subject to discuss in detail, and 

 I have endeavoured to bring into a small compass a review of our present 

 knowledge and a clear statement of the legitimate aims of the economic 

 entomologist. It is necessary to have clearly in mind what are the 

 purposes and objects of this branch of science ; how it is related to 

 Entomology as a whole, its bearing towards agriculture and commerce, 

 its place both in the scientific world and in relation to ordinary human 

 activities. We shall then be in a position to see what progress has 

 baen made, where we stand in relation to allied branches of science and 

 finally the probable lines of future work. I touch this last point with 

 great diffidence ; my own work is clearly before me and I have no wish 

 to bo considered as laying down lines of work before a critical audience of 

 entomologists. 1 would gladly plead for a greater interest in this subject 



