February, '11] OSBORX: TEACHING METHODS 73 



the work of presenting entomological matter, and that there must be 

 naturally a larger division of the subjects of entomology, so that cer- 

 tain phases of it may be presented by those who are most thoroughly 

 equipped for the purpose. The time is evidently past when all the 

 different branches of entomology can be presented thoroughly by a 

 single individual. While it is desirable for the sake of sympathetic 

 action and cooperation that each one should be acquainted with the 

 lines of work engaged in by others, for the sake of real progress it is 

 necessary that each one should restrict himself in special work to a 

 limited branch. This means a differentiation into systematic, morpho- 

 logic, physiologic, embryonic and ecologic groups at least, and it is 

 hardly possible to speak of any one of these as being of greater impor- 

 tance than the others. Systematic work is absolutely essential for 

 accurate indication of the forms on which work is done, and it in turn 

 must be based on thorough acquaintance with structure and develop- 

 ment. An acquaintance with the phj'siological activities must, I 

 think, grow greatly in importance as the development of experimental 

 w^ork toward the control of insects is developed. At first sight knowl- 

 edge of the early embryonic stages may seem less important than post 

 embryonic development, but it has become more and more apparent 

 that many problems which have ultimate economic importance are 

 wrapped up in this phase of the subject. 



In addition to these there are the special fields of medical ento- 

 mology and of behavior which have developed into quite important 

 subjects within the last few years. Both of these may be taught in 

 connection with other more general matter, and on some accounts it 

 appears to me that this is much the better plan, since it is then possible 

 to preserve the practical relationships which are an important thing 

 for the student to secure. ]\Iedical entomology, however, has been 

 making such strides and is becoming so distinct a branch, that it may 

 require more special treatment. It was noticeable in the Congresses 

 held during the past year that one of the most prominent topics for 

 discussion was the relation of zoology and entomology to' medical 

 science, and there were some verj' urgent pleas that these be given a 

 greater measure of attention. Experimental zoology has also consid- 

 erable to offer in the way of particular treatment, and is doubtless to 

 be reckoned as one of the important lines for development. Here 

 again, however, it appears to me that there is some advantage in 

 the close association of this work with the more general work upon life 

 histories and habits, and I am not sure that the advantage to be de- 

 rived from close specialization in the subject will outweigh the loss 

 from its separation from- the more general phases of the subject. 



It is very evident indeed that much of this matter Avill specialize 



