XXV 



AIDS 



How to Get the Names of Unknown Insects. — Specimens 

 will have to be sent to some one for determination, and they 

 must be in fit condition for study. If papered they may be 

 sent in any sort of stout box (never in a letter). If alcoholic, 

 the vials containing them may be sent in ordinary paste- 

 board, screw-cap mailing cases or in other boxes, packed in 

 cotton. There are usually three available sources of this 

 information. 



1. The entomologists of the U. S. Department of Agri- 

 culture, Washington, D. C, will secure identifications of all 

 kinds of insects, and will on request send bulletins concerning 

 the habits and methods of control of the economic species. 



2. The state entomologist, who is usually located either 

 at the State Capitol or at the State Agricultural College, will 

 do the same. These two officials are our servants in such 

 matters. But they have other things to do; so get your 

 insects named at home if you can, and when necessary to 

 call upon these officials, pool your requests for information 

 and let one person do the sending for the school. 



3. Often there is a local entomologist who may be con- 

 sulted in person, and who will gladly name specimens for 

 young collectors, insofar as he is able. 



When a local collection has been built up, and correctly 

 named specimens are in the boxes, fewer specimens will have 

 to be sent away for identification, for most can then be named 



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