OF WASHINGTON, VOLUME XI, 1909 j} 



But far better than this is the change in the atmosphere. 

 What Riley termed "the unfortunate political unscientific at- 

 mosphere that pervades the Department" has disappeared The 

 present atmosphere is one of progress, of enthusiastic, forceful, 

 energetic progress, but a progress that shall be gained abso- 

 lutely by the strictest and most truthful methods- in other 

 words the methods of true science. This characterization is 

 one governing, 1 believe, all of the scientific bureaus under the 

 I'nited States ( iovernment at present. It was written only with 

 the Department of Agriculture as a whole in view, but it should 

 surely be extended to cover all, and in this complex whole the 

 llureau of Entomology bears its important part and de.sires of 

 all things the discovery of scientific truths in the interest of 

 scientific truth for the benefit of the people of the United 

 States and humanity at large. It is a mistake to believe that 

 we should not talk over our official work at our Society meet- 

 ings. Let us talk it over among ourselves as much as possible, 

 in season and out of season. Where we can get the greatest 

 number of entomologists together is the best place to talk it 

 over. When it comes to publication, that is another matter. 

 Kesults obtained by official labors should be published In- 

 official sources, provided they are appropriate to such publica- 

 tions. Incidental results of biological interest may be published 

 in the Proceedings of the Society or elsewhere, according to 

 conditions. 



One unique feature of the Society that has developed during 

 recent years has been the broadening of certain of its discus- 

 sions beyond the confines of strict entomological science. Fer- 

 no\v, ( lill, \Yaite. Stiles, Holm, Yaughan. Sudworth, Pollard, 

 K. L. Morris, Cook, and other botanists and zoologists, and 

 even paleontologists, have joined us, realizing both that ento- 

 mologv is an enormous science and that the Entomological 

 Societv is in many ways the livest scientific society in Wash- 

 ington. How often have we seen them sitting listening with 

 courteous interest to the more technical papers, their faces 

 lighting up with an interest more than merely courteous when 

 a topic even slightly impinging upon an idea of broad biologic 

 capabilities was suggeMed, and springing to their feet to take 

 part in a discussion soaring far beyond insects and becoming 

 as broad as the problem of life itself. This has meant much 

 to this Society and has made it unique among all the entomo- 

 logical societies of the world. We strict entomologists owe 

 much to these men. and among them especially to Dr. Theodore 

 ( iill. To have had the privilege of this intimate association 

 with this great naturalist, to have heard at first hand and on 



