2G THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Dr. Strecker was one of the most eminent authorities on the Lepidop- 

 tera in America. He was well versed in some of the dead languages, and 

 a master of many living foreign tongues, in which works of his special 

 pursuit are written. He owned the largest, most remarkable and in even- 

 way the most valuable collection on the American continent. It is said 

 that there are but few in the world that surpass it. The Strecker collec- 

 tion contains over 200,000 specimens, gathered from every portion of the 

 globe. 



In consideration of his scientific work and knowledge, the degree of 

 Ph. D. was conferred upon him by Franklin and Marshall College. 



In his earlier days Dr. Strecker made frequent trips to Philadelphia, 

 studying at the Phila. Acad, of Nat. Sciences all branches of natural 

 history, but later devoted all his time to entomology, and finally to macro- 

 lepidoptera. 



He published numerous works on Lepidoptera, for which lie drew and 

 coloured the plates himself. His principal work, long out of print, was 

 " Native and Exotic Butterflies and Moths." 



He published the work under difficult circumstances : he was a poor 

 man at the time. He saved sufficient money to buy a lithographic stone, 

 and then drew the group of butterflies on the first page of the work. 

 This was sent to Philadelphia, printed and then returned. When the 

 stone came back he repolished it and drew upon it another group. In 

 this way the stone travelled to and from Philadelphia, until all the plates 

 were published. All the copies were sold. The demand increased, but 

 no more were ever issued. 



The collection is contained in many glass-covered drawers, and each 

 specimen is labelled as to locality, etc. The collection cost many 

 thousands of dollars. An attempt to describe the collection would be 

 useless, but many extremely rare and valuable flies are contained therein. 

 Upwards of 300 types and an equal number of co-types are in the collection. 

 It is one of the most remarkable collections in the world in regard to 

 aberrant and dimorphic forms. 



Dr. Strecker was constantly visited by men of science from all parts 

 of the world. 



In his social relations he was cordial and affable, a genial friend and 

 a good neighbour. He was reserved and unassuming m speaking of his 

 own achievements. In his chosen field he ranked deservedly high. 



The scientific world loses one whom it can ill spare. He left a 

 widow, son and daughter. LEVI W. Mengel, Reading. Pa. 



