126 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



In some iustances we liave been called upon to examine seeds for 

 adulteration, but tlii.s work belongs properly to a botanist, and we 

 forward tliem to Dr. W. A. Buckliout, of The Pennsylvania State 

 College, where wo always find ellicient, prompt and courteous aid. 



7. MAKING COLLECTIONS 



^^'hile l)ut cf)mparatively little eltort has hoeu giv(Ui to making 

 colieclious of insects, we have not been unmindful of the importance 

 of collections, pro})erly made, classified and preserved. All specimens 

 sent to this office by contributors have been named as far as possible, 

 and also acknowledged to senders, with such information as was 

 requested concerning them. During the year the office received the 

 following accessions to the museum collection: 



Insects, 1096 



Invertebrates, not Insects, 79 



Keptiles and Batrachians, 30 



Birds and Mammals, 14 



Fish 1 



Total 1220 



This does not give tlie number of specimens received during the 

 year, as some of these accessions consist of at least one hundred 

 specimens. 



In addition to the above, thousands of specimens Avere collected 

 by our direct representatives, and as these wore in better condition 

 than are those which are, as a rule, sent through the mail, they 

 were preserved in the Department Collection, 



This Collection has now come to be one of the most famous in 

 the country for the excellent condition of specimens, the great num- 

 ber collected in so short time, and the full and accurate data pre- 

 served therewith. While it consists chiefly of insects, yet it con- 

 tains most of the birds of the State, many of the mammals and 

 practically all the rej)tiles and amphibians. No book on the Ento- 

 mology of Pennsylvania will be complete without the data contained 

 in this important Collection. 



Breeding Cages. Many insects are sent to us or collected in (he 

 imumture stages. In fact, it is when in the immature stages that 

 most insects do their more voracious feeding, and some species do 

 all their feeding, and are, consequently, then most destructive. There 

 fore, we have found it necessary to place them in cages,- known 

 as "breeding cages." in order to keep them alive until their various 

 changes have been undergone or transformation is completed, and 

 their adult stage is reached. 



Thus the insect can be recognized in its different stages, adult 

 specimen is obtained in good condition, and the full life history 

 ascertained. 



About one hundred and fifty breeding cages were thus maintained 

 during the year. It was necessary to see that the specimens were 

 furnished with fresh food and water, and kept properly ventilated, 

 and at the same time properly closed, to provide against the escape 

 of the occupants. Breeding cage work is (.f the utmost importance. 



