62 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 



The section of systematic and biologic entomology consisted of a great number of 

 cases showing different orders of insects which were not exhibited as a " complete series, 

 but as samples taken from the actual collection to illustrate the methods employed in the 

 arrangement of the regular systematic and biologic series, and also to give the visiting 

 entomologist an insight into the present state of the national collection." 



A collection of great interest was one prepared under Prof. Riley's direction by Prof. 

 J. B. Smith, and was intended to illustrate all the families of insects found in North and 

 South America. Every known family of insects on this side of the world is indicated in 

 it. This collection is unique. It was intended as a synopsis of the families of American 

 insects illustrated by the specimens themselves or drawings — in almost all cases the 

 families are represented by specimens. The labels are all in Prof. Smith's handwriting, 

 and together with the arrangement bear witness to the labour and care expended on 

 them. 



The next collection calling for mention was the collective exhibit of the agricultural 

 colleges and experiment stations. This was made up of contributions from the entomolo- 

 gists of some of the State experiment stations, and showed great variety in the methods 

 adopted and the excellence of the work. There were, of course, features of interest in 

 all, but some were so far superior to others that they at once drew the attention of the 

 visitor. Prof. Harvey, of Maine, sent five beautifully neat cases, illustrating by means 

 of specimens and coloured drawings the work of the Apple Maggot. Prof. Hopkins, of 

 West Virginia, provided fifteen cases of forest insects, which were put up very neatly 

 with printed labels and good specimens of insects and their work. One case was devoted 

 to parasites. Prof. J. B. Smith contributed an extensive collection, showing in ten cases 

 the insects of the cranberry, grape, blackberry, sweet potato and squash. These were 

 put up with Prof. Smith's usual care and labelled in a legible manner, which unfortu- 

 nately could not be said for all the collections. One collection particularly, of eight cases 

 of neatly arranged biological material, lost mnch in appearance from bearing large labels 

 in ugly back-hand writing. 



At first sight Prof. Smith's cases seemed too much crowded with specimens, but this 

 was done intentionally to draw more attention, as he maintains that farmers for 

 whom, after all, this sort of collection is prepared, will frequently fail to recognize a species 

 if only one or two specimens are shown him ; but, where, as for instance in the cranberry 

 Teras, he is used to s<^eing swarms of them flying on the bog, a series of from twenty to 

 thirty appeals to him at once, and he recognizes the insect. For the .same reason large 

 specimens of insect injurj^ were introduced. A farmer is involuntarily attracted to a 

 large specimen and to a striking injury. His eye is caught by seeing what was appar- 

 ently a large vigorous plant badly damaged. The object is to give one seeking for 

 information plenty to look at and abundant opportunity to examine the specimens. 

 There is also another feature. If an insect is represented by only two or three specimens 

 and perhaps one or two larvas, it conveys the impression that these insects are rather rare, 

 that it is difficult to get specimens. The object is to convey the idea that the insects 

 shown are abundant and that they are to be respected from the point of the numbers in 

 which they occur, if not on account of the size of the individuals. 



In the exhibit of apparatus for entomology there are three more cases from the same 

 station, showing insects injurious to Indian corn ; the apple, pear and quince ; and one of the 

 Wheat louse and its enemies. These were meant to illustrate the manner of preserving 

 all kinds of specimens and as a sample of the collection of an experiment station. No 

 effort was made to have these complete — that would be impossible in the space — they were 

 rather as a suggestion how a thing should be done than as an exposition of the subjects 

 themselves. 



Near the above mentioned cases was a sample of the Cornell case, in which every- 

 thing is arranged on a separate block so as to facilitate removal if necessary. Without 

 knowing the advantages claimed for this arrangement, it must be acknowledged, 1 think, 

 that the general effect is less tidy than the ordinary method. There were collections 

 from Prof. Bruner, of Nebraska, showing enemies of the sugar beet, several cases from 

 Prof. Osborn, of Iowa, and six very neatly arranged cases of apple insects, together with 

 coloured drawings of their work, prepared by Prof. Popenoe, of Kansas. 



