OF WASHINGTON. 297 



into the same field, but there is lacking in Fitch's reports the 

 eminent practicality which characterizes Riley's, and it is every 

 where apparent to one who contrasts the work of the two men 

 that the vigorous originality and independent nature of the author 

 of the Missouri Reports could not fail to produce volumes of 

 much more lasting value. 



As has often been said, the illustrations of these reports added 

 very greatly to their value. They were drawn by Dr. Riley 

 himself with a fidelity to nature and at the same time with an 

 artistic skill practically unknown in America at that period. 



They were engraved on wood by the best engravers who could 

 be found. William Macwitz of St. Louis was always especially 

 mentioned by Riley in speaking of these illustrations. In spite 

 of his remarkable ability as a delineator of insects, however, Dr. 

 Riley, after leaving Missouri, was forced, through lack of time, to 

 entirely abandon this work, although with his great talent it was 

 a pleasure rather than a task. In later years he took up portrait 

 ure as a pastime and produced a number of heads in chalk and 

 in water colors of great merit. 



One of Riley's cherished plans, and one which he constantly 

 kept in mind, was to publish a second and revised edition of the 

 Missouri Reports. For this purpose he had collected a large 

 amount of additional notes upon the insects treated in the reports. 

 These notes were written in the interleaved bound copies which 

 he always kept on his revolving book-case, close at hand. These 

 volumes, much worn by constant use, constitute perhaps the most 

 valuable literary legacy which he has left, and it is to be hoped 

 that at some future time his plan of republication will be 

 realized. As early as 1880 he commenced negotiations with the 

 Missouri authorities regarding the reissuing of the reports. The 

 correspondence continued through several years, but, for reasons 

 unknown to us, led to no result. During the last years of his life 

 Riley altered his plan, intending to use the vast material thus ac 

 cumulated as the basis for a text-book on entomology, and this 

 work he hoped to accomplish when freed from the arduous 

 cares and vexations of official duties. 



The likeness which we use as a frontispiece has never before 

 been used as a basis for an illustration. We mention it partic- 



