February, 11] COMSTOCK: TEACHING METHODS 53 



Mr. Lowe: I wish also to compliment Mr. Shafer upon his work; 

 it is very, very excellent, and right along my line. I am sorry I have 

 not got our chemist here to dip into the chemical questions he raised. 

 But my findings, I am sorry to say, are not entirely in accordance 

 with his, particularly in some of the fumigants mentioned, which I 

 found did not kill, and some substances I found killed certain insects, 

 and had no elTect upon others. There is one other point, and that is 

 clogging spiracles. I have made many experiments along that line, 

 with a great many substances, and have not been able yet to clog the 

 spiracles of an insect. I have used the Cecropia caterpillar, painting 

 the spiracles with kerosene, but have not been able to kill the insect. 

 There is another thing, some of the insecticides, such as ordinary pyre- 

 thrum, will kill insects, but other substances equally fine, such as flour 

 and many other substances, have no effect upon the insect when they 

 are entirely immersed in them. I have many criticisms of the paper, 

 but they are more in the light of friendly discussion than criticism. 



President Sanderson : This paper is undoubtedly one we want to 

 digest somewhat before Ave can discuss it intelligently. We have 

 certainly felt the need of some work of this kind, those of us who have 

 attempted to teach the whys and wherefores of insecticides. 



We will now take up the symposium on " Present Methods of Teach- 

 ing Entomology." The paper prepared by Professor Comstock will be 

 read by Mr. Ruggles. 



THE PRESENT METHODS OF TEACHING ENTOMOLOGY 



By J. H. Comstock, Ithaca, N. Y. 



The present methods of teaching entomology followed in the United 

 States have been developed almost entirely by men now teaching this 

 subject. A second generation of teachers has begun its work; but the 

 first is still on the stage. We have progressed far enough, however, 

 to make it worth while for the teachers to compare methods, in order 

 that each may profit by the experience of the others. 



In a conference of this kind the contribution of each to the discus- 

 sion will be, naturally, at first, merely a statement of the methods 

 evolved in our several widely separated institutions. Then can follow 

 comparisons and discussions of the various methods, which may result 

 in the modification of each. I regret exceedingly that I cannot be 

 present to hear the papers of my colleagues, and to take part in the 

 cUscussion. But unfortunately for me, I can only send my report of 

 progress. 



