1 893.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 225 



inasmuch as these features are probably confined to one ot the 

 two forms of dimorphic species, it may happen that our new 

 genus has no generic foundation whatever, for it would be unwise, 

 if not impossible, to found a genus upon the characters of both 

 forms of a dimorphic species. 



If we must form genera in the present incomplete state of our 

 knowledge of these insects (I cannot see why we must) let us 

 decide without delay which of the two forms of a species shall be 

 the basis of our genus. This should be, it seems to me, the bi- 

 sexual brood, as being the normal form of the species. All natu- 

 ralists will agree that the multiplication of synonymns is an evil, 

 . and all are glad to find species that the imperfect knowledge of 

 dabblers has not loaded down with names. 



To preface the history of an insect with a half page of real or 

 supposed synonyms may give the impression that the writer has 

 complete knowledge of his subject, but it often shows that ' ' some- 

 body has blundered," and it has sometimes happened that the 

 compiler has made a jumble that another half page will hardly 

 set right. 



While the field of scientific research is open to all, and no one 

 has exclusive right to any part, it still remains true that too great 

 care cannot be taken in the naming, classifying and identification 

 of species, and that this cannot be safely undertaken without a 

 knowledge of what others before us have done. 



The time has not come when a safe and permanent classification 

 of the gall-making Cynipidae can be made, and it will not come 

 until some of our entomologists shall do for our species what the 

 Continental entomologists have done for the European species- 

 learn by observation and experiment their true life-history. 



The discovery, and the careful description of new species is 

 valuable, but in the classification of these let us adopt the motto 

 of our society Festina lente. 



o 



The Early Stages of Plusia bimaculata Steph. 

 By Rev. T. W. FYLES, South Quebec. 



Eggs. Laid dispersedly in the end of July; round, yellowish 

 white; hatched August 3d. 



Young laiva. Half-looper; one-tenth of an inch long, yellow- 

 ish white; subdorsal lines white; head and body sparsely set with 



