THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 213 



We believe fully in the necessity of a thorough foundation for 

 entomological as well as any other scientific work, and would by all 

 means advise students intending to enter this field to learn so much of 

 chemistry, physics and general biology as to equip themselves for handling 

 the intricate problems of life which must of necessity be met in any 

 thorough study of insects. But, we would like to urge also the advantage 

 to be gained by devotees of other branches of science if they would use 

 the subject of entomology as a part of their mental equipment. Not 

 only is the training to be gained one that is of the highest value in the 

 cultivation of the faculties we have mentioned, but the facts acquired are 

 of a nature to be used in every calling in life in which the student may 

 engage. 



We are all often amused by the questions propounded to us about 

 insects, questions often from highly educated people, which display the 

 direst ignorance concerning some of the most elementary principles of 

 entomology. This condition is one of the greatest hindrances to the 

 adoption of remedies based on any biological foundation. Confusion of 

 species, lack of any idea of the metamorphosis of insects (except possibly 

 some of the most common), and total ignorance of the structure of insects 

 or of the physiological features which enter so largely into the use of 

 remedies, all combine to render the intelligent adoption of the necessary 

 measures in insect warfare difficult. 



Education in these matters must be in considerable part by personal 

 means. Teachers in higher institutions must train the teachers who carry 

 knowledge to the academies and high schools, and these in turn must 

 furnish the training in the lower grade and country schools. Will the 

 time ever come when the country teacher will be qualified to answer 

 common questions about insects that may be propounded by his pupils, 

 to give them accurate instruction concerning the most essential principles 

 of the science, or to direct them in the proper methods by which they can 

 get facts by their own observation. 



There is no question as to the fascination of the subject, each one 

 here by his presence attests this fact, as attractiveness of the study is the 

 main motive for its pursuit, and the wonder is that so few carry an interest 

 in the subject beyond the enthusiastic collecting of youthful years. 



It is true that entomological study soon becomes serious work, when 

 undertaken with any purpose or effort to further knowledge along any of 



