1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 1 ] 7 



gest themselves: First, the government has not provided 

 adequate means for building up a great collection of insects, 

 and departmental workers have had to build up private col- 

 lections in the special orders in which they work at their own 

 expense, which the government has neglected afterward to 

 purchase; secondly, collectors and scientists have not shown 

 the proper spirit of generosity and donated to the Rational 

 Museum duplicates of new and rare specimens which they have 

 captured. 



At reasonable cost and within a few years, by placing at the 

 disposal of the head of each department (Lepidoptera, Odo- 

 nata, Coleoptera, etc.) a reasonable financial support, and 

 tli rough a system of exchange and purchase, a collection could 

 be built up which would be second to none, as a National Col- 

 lection should be. Such a collection would be of inestimable 

 value to all scientists, but especially would it be an inspiration 

 to young scientists and give them an advantage unknown to 

 the entomologists of to-day. 



Economic entomology, which has dealt mainly with larval 

 forms, would be immensely aided by a Rational Collection 

 containing long series in both adult and larval stages, and no 

 thinking person can doubt that such a collection would pay 

 financially in the added ability which it would give to cope 

 with insect pests and their depredations. 



Xo criticism upon the present officials is intended, for they 

 are doing all in their power, but a plea is offered for a gen- 

 eral awakening among legislators and others to the need of 

 increased appropriations for such work. Too many rare speci- 

 mens have already crossed the ocean to swell the collections of 

 more appreciative collectors, who are willing to pay some- 

 thing near the real value. 



Does not America possess a millionaire who would willing! v 

 devote one of his millions to build up a great American col- 

 lection of insects? If not, at least we who do not possess the 

 millions we may contribute something from our duplicate list> 

 for the love which our hearts bear this great nation and for 

 the benefit of those who in future shall care for its interests. 

 The Rational Museum contains, practically, no types of Ar- 

 gyimids. Among the rather rare species represented there are 

 nokomis, iHitixlma, electa, cohunb'm, lilinini. 



