84 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



address delivered before this Society in January, 1890, Mr. 

 Schwarz gave a comprehensive catalogue of the North American 

 publications on entomology and the general status of the work on 

 this side of the Atlantic. A similar account of American achieve 

 ment has also been given by Dr. Lintner. The very extensive 

 field of applied or economic entomology was covered most fully 

 and for all countries by Dr. Howard in a presidential address 

 before the Sixth Annual Meeting of the Association of Economic 

 Entomologists, August, 1894. 



The general subject, however, of the history of the study of 

 insects and of the persons who have been most prominent in such 

 work has not been so recently discussed. The great desirability 

 of a comprehensive historical work of the nature outlined is 

 appreciated by all entomologists and would be of the very 

 greatest advantage to all students. Such a work, however, 

 means a vast amount of study and delving into old libraries and 

 musty volumes, and, indeed, the facts relative to the biography 

 of many of the older entomologists are very meager and many of 

 their works are lost or almost inaccessible ; but the interest which 

 always attaches to the beginning of things will more than repay 

 the laborious researches necessary to gain a fuller knowledge of 

 the founders of the science. As one approaches the later history 

 the material is much more abundant and less difficulty will be 

 experienced. It is earnestly hoped that some of our entomolo 

 gists will undertake something of this kind in the near future 

 What I shall present on this occasion will be a very brief review 

 of the records and individuals who have made the science of 

 entomology, and, without hoping to give anything new or 

 original, if I can present a picture, however imperfect, of the 

 history of the study of insects, and direct your thoughts for the 

 moment to some of the more important persons and periods 

 which have characterized the development of the science, and 

 also give some idea of what has been accomplished and what 

 remains to be done in the future, my purpose will have been 

 effected. 



