1900] ENTOMOLOGICAL' SOOIETf. 91 



surface, or the exact date of the return of a comet, if he did not thoroughly understand 

 the operation of the laws by which these marvellous phenomena are brought about. Neith- 

 er can applied entomology accomplish its highest mission in the world for man's benefit 

 until he succeeds in thoroughly working out and interpreting aright the laws which prevail 

 in the insect world, and they are many and intricate, and some of them difficult of solu- 

 tion. Whatever we can do to interest others in the study of insect life, in any of its 

 phases, to the end that new facts are recorded, will help to the more perfect understanding 

 of our favorite science and consequently to its usefulness. We are greatly indebted to 

 the pure systematist in entomology who never attempts to make a practical application of 

 his knowledge " 



*' It would greatly promote the science of entomology if each member of this Asssoci- 

 ation would make a special systematic study of some groups of insects, however small, 

 and publish the result as a personal contribution to the pure science of entomology. We 

 would be better workers in economic problems for so doing. A study of the habits of in- 

 sects in nature's laboratory fits one for a grade of systematic work that he never could at- 

 tain as a closet naturalist." 



" A knowledge of food plants, of broods, of local variations, and of variations occur- 

 ring among the ofigpring of a single pair, determined by careful observation in nature's 

 haunts or by breeding in the laboratory, is as essential to enable one to establish true 

 specific differences as is a thorough knowledge of structural character." 



" To promote a science it is necessary to make known its relations to human in- 

 terests. If men can be shown that their health, wealth, or happiness depends upon a 

 knowledge of insect life, there will be no trouble to interest people in the study of entom- 

 ology. Show^ the farmer, the gardener, and the horticulturist the importance of knowing 

 the habits of insects in order to successfully combat the pests that destroy their crops ; 

 bring to the attention of the preacher the inexhaustible fund of evidence and illustration 

 with wtich to teach his flock the power, wisdom, mercy, care, and omnipresence of the 

 Greater of all ; make kno'wn to the artist the boundless field which a study of insects opens 

 to him for the display and developement of his powers in portraying graceful and fantastic 

 forms and in preparing and blending colors of the most exquisite beauty and harmony ; 

 teach those that instruct the young what a wealth of interesting and easily obtained ob- 

 jects are always at hand from insect life with which to fascinate the child and secure his 

 lifelong interest in natural history study ; make it plain to all that the very laws of life 

 that prevail in the higher realm are equally patent among the creeping, crawling creatures 

 of lower rank and smaller size — do all this, and the science of entomology will quickly 

 take the rank it deserves among its sister sciences." 



** In clrsing let me urge that we keep in mind the worthy objects for the promotion 

 of which we are banded together. Let us keep the standard of work up to the ideal con- 

 ceived by those in whose minds the organization had its birth. Let us show a wiliingnesa 

 to sacrifice self-interest when it is necessary for the general good, and let us do all in our 

 power to preserve and strengthen the fraternal feeling thit has ever existed among our 

 members." 



In a subsequent discussion of the address, Prof. Webster said that there were very 

 many features in it of vital importance to working entomologists. One thing he consider- 

 ed entitled to especial emphasis and that was the matter of duplication of work. The fact 

 that one member was working upon a given species in one State or Province and another 

 member was working upon exactly the same species in another region of country, while 

 apparently a duplication of work is not really so, because in all probabili'y very different 

 re>-ult8 would be obtained. No two men see the same thing in the same light, and climate, 

 Jatitorle and elevation also have a great deal to do with the action of insects. As to the 

 matter of mapping out work, it must be remembered that most entomologists are limited 

 in thHJr powers, and, while they can plan work, ibis not always easy to carry it out, as a 

 station director or a board of trustees might greatly revise his plans. In regard to the 

 introduc'inn of foreign paras'tes, it seemed to him that it is a field we are juat entering, 

 with the future all before us, and there would be many failures; but where such work 

 was carrifd out carefully he believed it might prove successful with respect to a great 

 many introduced species of insects. When we come to carry it oat between States, how 



