May, '07] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 169 



and, when this happens, the great majority and probably all 

 the life inhabiting this region is killed or driven away. How' 

 can anything contend with this condition ? As the years pass, 

 all these schemes will be multiplied in every way to an enormous 

 extent. 



Why advise a farmer or anybody to destroy insects just 

 because a few of his plants are affected, and the trouble is 

 only local? If anything is done, leave it to men of science. If 

 the insects become general and a plague is threatened, it is only 

 caused by some of man's ignorant notions in destroying the 

 natural foods or enemies. 



I have never approved of the general feeling that seems to 

 control the actions of most men, of destroying nature no mat- 

 ter what the form or condition. Those who do so generally 

 say they do it for sport, for under this mask we do things 

 abominable to any decency. Thus the different branches of the 

 several kingdoms have perished, and probably the insects will 

 meet with a similar fate. Surely, these insects and lower 

 animals are a joy to everybody. I cannot realize any person 

 feeling differently. What would the earth be without them? 

 Then let us all, and especially scientists, protect them in 

 every way whenever possible, instead of following the old 

 plan of killing everything we see and for no purpose. I think 

 we live in a golden age; just think of the myriad of insects 

 to delight the entomologist ! They are so easily procured now, 

 but we should look into the future and thus prevent this great 

 catastrophe. Do not overstep our privileges and murder the 

 innocents. History is full of such behavior, always with bad 

 results in the end. The progress of the world, many will 

 say, naturally clears the earth of its wild life, and, of course, 

 this is so as long as we follow the present plan. But, I say, 

 as long as we are civilized, why not act the part of civilization? 

 Leave all, or the great majority, of animals to live the life 

 we are enjoying. Surely, our existence will not be retarded 

 by their presence, but benefited in more ways than we have 

 the least idea of. 



Of the virgin forests that covered practically all the east 

 and west what a poor remnant remains to tell the sad tale. 



