Jan., 'lOJ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. I/ 



Concerning Dr. John B. Smith at Dublin, New 



Hampshire. 



By HARRISON G. DYAR. 



We dislike to take up space in scientific periodicals for purely 

 personal discussions, but as the NEWS is not always strictly sci- 

 entific and as such, matters are generally lively and no doubt 

 interesting to some of our readers we will comment on Dr. 

 Smith's comments. 



Dr. Smith is evidently "enjoying-"' the situation solely be- 

 cause his name was not mentioned in my article. The omis- 

 sion was intentional and made in the interest of accuracy. My 

 examination of the territory and subsequent report were quite 

 unifluenced by any expression of opinion on the part of Dr. 

 Smith. It is easy for Dr. Smith to say, after the fact, that he 

 pointed out the pond in question ; but at the time he merely said 

 that it had a favorable appearance. Owing to an unfortunate 

 coincidence, following the regrettable action of Dr. Stowell in 

 desiring an examination by Dr. Smith without my knowledge 

 and before my own examination was completed, I was obliged 

 to enjoy the pleasure of Dr. Smith's company on the tour of 

 inspection of the ponds and marshes conducted by Dr. Stowell. 

 The marsh in which I discovered the breeding-place of Man- 

 soiiia pcrturbans was the only likely place 'that we saw on the 

 trip, and if Dr. Smith had not been of the opinion that it look- 

 ed favorable, he would have exhibited less acumen than I sup- 

 pose him to possess. It is, however, a gratuitous assumption 

 for him to imagine that my judgment was influenced in the 

 least by his opinion. His company was forced upon me, his 

 advice was not asked, and any acknowledgment of his connec- 

 tion with the matter in my report would have been both super- 

 fluous and misleading. My idea of the giving of credit is that 

 it is due in cases where some service has been rendered or some 

 information given whereby the recipient has profited, and in 

 such cases I always gladly give credit. But where expressions 

 of opinion arc voluntarily proffered, which coincide with views 

 already held by the recipient, even when such opinion proves 



