58 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



cation which thinking men will adopt ? Now, in ignoring these slight 

 modifications of structure in the case of the Phalaenoid Sphinges, we 

 should have to lose sight of the fact that at least three of the American 

 genera have no representatives in Europe, that the European ocellatus is 

 represented in America by strictly congeneric species ; both of these 

 facts, which seem to us of great importance to know, would be obliterated 

 by a lumping of the species indiscriminately under one generic name. In 

 the case of one of these genera, Cressonia, it is known that it was incor- 

 rectly held by Dr. Clemens to represent the European populi, that the 

 correction has been made, that its right to a separate consideration has 

 been made plain. What is to be gained toward the solution of the great 

 question of the development or origin of these species by overturning 

 this work ? Are we not able, indeed, to grapple with this question at a 

 better advantage when we know all the facts in the case, than when our 

 classifications are so deceptive as to embrace different kinds of structure 

 under a common generic name ? Thj mental operation by which we 

 recognize "genera," is evidently the same kind as that by which we 

 recognize "species." Both of these are alike abstract conceptions ; they 

 have the same basis for existing in our minds and books. 



In so far as the new generic ideas seem a development of the old, and 

 in consonance with our increase in knowledge, we may trust to them. It 

 is well also that the lumpers have their say and full weight ; for undoubt- 

 edly extreme cases of splitting have to be corrected, and extreme 

 applications of the rules of priority have to be rejected as leading to no 

 useful results to science, which should be the criteria for all scientific 

 action. And with all these varying counsels we still can be reasonable 

 with each other in oar common cause ; imputing no evil and overcoming 

 each one his own unreasonableness so far as he is able. An adverse 

 criticism from which there will be no appeal may fall on those of us who 

 do not recognize the current scientific thought, but waste their oppor- 

 tunities in useless controversies, showing no appreciation of the scientific 

 value of Entomology. 



Extomology at the Centennial. — The Entomological Society of 

 Ontario has forwarded a very fine collection of Canadian insects to Phila- 

 delphia, consisting of eighty-six cases, forty-five of which are Lepidoptera 

 and twenty-seven Coleoptera, the remainder being occupied by the other 

 orders. 



