1 70 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, '07 



Now their grandeur and magnificence are to be seen only in 

 small unfrequented regions. Little did the woodchoppers of 

 three centuries ago think of making such an impression on the 

 solid wall that stretched for miles along the coast and inland 

 for leagues. I doubt if anybody cared. What is the result? 

 Why did not the learned of that day see the great danger? 

 Their thoughts were for its destruction, thus giving them ready 

 cash when other means failed, and at that time the forests 

 were considered a great nuisance, so they were burned promis- 

 cuously and continually. Money is one of the greatest curses 

 the world has known, and is often the real and only cause for 

 the disappearance of nature's beauties. Who has not noticed 

 the vanishing of our lovely wild flowers before the advance 

 of civilization ? They will in many instances die away alto- 

 gether, while the few that are more fortunate may be found in 

 the adjoining country. This year they are quite near home, 

 but owing to the influence of man, will wholly disappear 

 from their old haunts. The next season may see them across 

 a nearby highway. Their pure and wonderful beauty is 

 obliterated to make way for the rude and unwieldy works of 

 man. 



The buffalo well illustrates the fate of the mammals, for 

 their countless numbers roamed over the broad prairies of 

 the west, even far into Canada and Mexico. They were so 

 thick as to blacken the earth for miles, but now only a few 

 remain. The rest have fallen for money and "sport." How 

 carefully and wisely did the Indians manage the killing of 

 the few they sought, and then only for supplying themselves 

 with food and shelter. It is almost incredible to think that 

 we have behaved so barbarously. The birds likewise have 

 faired badly, and are killed for their feathers. Already many 

 beautiful, useful and wonderful species are practically or 

 entirely extinct. Before this slaughter ceases many more will 

 have perished or be reduced to remnants by the wickedness of 

 man. 



The insects have not yet decreased noticeably, and, if 

 destined to succumb, will only disappear many years hence. 

 Did not the animals, trees, etc., appear to be inexhaustible when 



