Vol. XIII. OTTAWA, AUGUST, 1899. No. 



EXTRA LIMITAL INSECTS FOUND AT OTTAWA. 



]>y W. Hague Harrington, F. R. S. C. 

 Read 2ist Feliruary, 1899. 



The tracing" out of the geographical distribution of plants 

 and animals is one of the most important and, at the same time, 

 one of the most fascinating studies of a naturalist. In the 

 investigation of the complex problems which are therein 

 encountered, a society such as the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' 

 Club may render very valuable assistance, by the publication of 

 accurate floral and faunal lists, and of exact records of the 

 occurrence and life histories of the various species studied by its 

 members. The commonplace Ottawa citizen, especially if he 

 be a property holder, observes with pride and pleasure the 

 steady expansion of the city, and the corresponding increase of 

 its population. The Ottawa naturalist, on the contrary, notes 

 with deep regret his former haunts invaded and laid waste, and 

 monotonous blocks of buildings rapidl}' covering the ground 

 where so recently the forest flourished. The so-called march of 

 improvement unfortunately means to him the disappearance of 

 his happy hunting grounds ; the cutting down of woodland 

 monarchs, the draining of lush swamps and the production of 

 barren uniformity where erstwhile plentiful diversity obtained. 



The evolution of our country from a forest region to an 

 agricultural and commercial district, not only in the immediate 

 neighbourhood but over the areas spreading oceanward in every 

 direction, produces important and easily recognized alterations 

 in our flora and fauna. 



As the untutored savage vanishes before the civilization for 

 which he is not prepared, so many of our native animals and' 



Issued August nth, 1899. 



THE OTTAWA NATURALISTS ^„^,, 



