I'lje ^aimritaij J^ntomologbt 



Vol. XLIX. LONDON, NOVEMBER, 1917 No. 11 



POPULAR AND PRACTICAL ENTOMOLOGY. 



Graphic Presentations of Entomological Facts. 



by harry b. weiss, new brunswick, n.j. 



In reading over various entomological publications, one is 

 impressed by the growing tendency of authors to present their 

 facts where possible, in a graphic manner. In support of this 

 statement, it is only necessary to recall in various publications, 

 the manv charts showing curves of insect activity of one sort or 

 another. There are many entomological authors, however, who 

 have not adopted this forward step and in support of this, one has 

 only to remember the numerous tables of figures so often to be 

 found. 



Many readers, when they arrive at a page containing detailed 

 information in the form of printed tables, experience a sinking 

 sensation and unless they are especially interested in the insect 

 or activity in question, they are inclined to pass hurriedly over 

 this part and seek a summary if one is to be found. It is realized, 

 of course, that many entomological facts cannot be treated graphi- 

 cally, but on the other hand, many can but are not and to those 

 who are not in the habit of using illustrative charts wherever 

 possible in their publications, this paper is intended as a slight 

 suggestion along such lines. 



Much time and money is expended in the collection of ento- 

 mological data and unless this material is presented in a clear and 

 interesting manner, the maximum amount of benefit will not be 

 secured. Not only is time saved for the reader by graphic presenta- 

 tions, but the facts are put before him in such a manner that they 

 appeal to him more strongly, he remembers them better and it is 

 less possible for him to draw wrong conclusions when quantitative 

 facts are placed before him in accurate proportions. Such presenta- 

 tions do not as a rule require as much space as printed words. 

 They do require more work of the author, but if the data are worth 



