ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 



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PHILADELPHIA, PA., MAY. 1905. 



When we see descriptions and dichotomies with indefinite 

 statements of fact we feel some one has offended science and 

 that the culprit has lost sight of the use to which his descrip- 

 tion or dichotomy is to be put. One needs only to contemplate 

 a moment to realize how meaningless it is to say smaller and 

 in the alternative larger : isn't this, to say the least, ambiguous ? 

 Why not give the size in millimeters and thus give the next 

 person a chance. Antennae slender, antennae thick, is another 

 case in point. Here again science would certainly be better 

 served if the width of the antenna were compared with some 

 other constant appendage of the same specimen or the width of 

 certain joints of an antenna as compared to the length would 

 be close to a positive statement. 



When we come to describe punctures and punctuation there 

 is more excuse for ambiguity in saying smaller and large or 

 sparse and close, respectively. But here again we would urge 

 comparison with something fixed. The spacing of the punc- 

 tures could be indicated by giving the interstices in terms of 

 individual puncture widths. 



All portions of an insect and peculiarities of the several 

 orders might be drawn upon for examples to demonstrate this 

 one principle, i. e. the principle of general utility, which can 

 only be served by the person who undertakes to convey an idea 

 in print to some one else, by constantly repeating " How will 

 this appear to the other person, especially the person handi- 

 capped by lack of material ? ' H. L,. V. 



'55 



