March, 1911.] ANNUAL AddRESS OF THE PRESIDENT. 5 



and I do not believe I exaggerate in saying that each of us can con- 

 tribute at least one during the year. Such paragraphs may refer to 

 interesting captures, to life histories or habits, to variations, collect- 

 ing places, to anything that in conversation we would think worth 

 mentioning. The editor will find it easier to make up his pages, our 

 subscribers will find the Journal more interesting, and those who 

 have not heretofore contributed will especially benefit themselves and 

 others by making it a point to contribute at least one paragraph 

 during 191 1. 



In closing there is one point that I wish especially to bring to 

 your attention, which is the advantage of specializing in some one 

 group in addition to the study of entomology in general. The number 

 of insects in the world is so great that no one can expect to become 

 expert in all. The number even in most of the families is appalling. 

 It follows that the best taxonomic work is done by experts who con- 

 fine their studies to some comparatively small group in which, how- 

 ever, they include the species of the whole world. And, in Coleoptera 

 at least, it is to be regretted that at present such experts are almost 

 invariably Europeans. Among the members of our society it is grati- 

 fying to note a tendency to depart from this situation. And I 

 would urge upon our members the opportunities they enjoy for fol- 

 lowing up the suggestion I make and the advantage that would accrue 

 to themselves and the society from its adoption. This museum con- 

 tains much foreign material, the National Museum likewise and Mr. 

 Hallinan's collection is rich in insects from Panama. Outside of the 

 European species such material is largely unnamed, and I am sure 

 the owners in every instance would welcome the assistance of special- 

 ists. It is not difficult to obtain such material from European dealers 

 and if the group selected is small it is not especially expensive. The 

 West Indies are easily and cheaply reached, and are rich in unde- 

 scribed species. The field is open to each of us to select some small 

 group and form a collection that will reflect credit upon its possessor 

 and be of service to his friends while at the same time the reputation 

 of our society and Journal will become enhanced. Upon the younger 

 members of the society especially I would urge that an entomological 

 reputation can be honestly earned most rapidly by taking up some 

 small family, accumulating the described species and literature, and . 

 proceeding at once to the description of the now unknown forms. 



