— 105 — 



visions of the Insecta lias gone by, and while some few collectors have starleci 

 with the idea of making accumulations in all orders lhe_v have gradually 

 drifted into a specialty and the rest of the collection remains at a stanilsull. 



But what has become of the general collections of our greai Kiito- 

 mologists of the past! Every one knows the fate f)f the Say ct)lleciion — 

 lost, utterly lost, by tlie ignorance and stupicliiy ol those wIk-sc duly .t 

 was to secure its preservation. 



The Harris collection, classic and \aluahle from the work put uiH)n 

 it bv its owner, though not very extensive, narrowly escaped the same 

 fate. It is now in the Museum of the Boston Society of Natural History 

 under the care of Mr. Henshaw ; it seems but a wreck of its former self yet 

 valuable as a guide to Dr. Harris' meaning in some instances. 



The Walsh collection died a more heroic death It perished in the 

 Chicago fire, and thus probably escaped being devoured by Anthreni.* 



The Fitch collection was practically ruined even while in the hands 

 of its owner, and afterward, its treatment in the hands of the agent who 

 had it for sale, was not calculated to improve its value. It is now scat- 

 tered in every direction, and utterly lost. 



Prof Riley's collection rests in the National Museum. The Professor 

 was wise enough to so dispose of it by gift to the Mu^■JtlIn in his life- 

 time as to preserve its value both to posterity and himseli. 



The Hatch Bill, already referred to, will probably have the effect of 

 starting at each of the Ex])eriment Stations, a general collection, mostly 

 local, and valuable or valueless, according to the capacity or intelligence 

 of its entomological officer. If he makes it the record of work done, by 

 preserving not only insects, but immature states, samples of injury, and 

 all the steps of his investigations, as well as his general collections, the 

 result will be a valuable one. It will excite interest, convey information, 

 and aid the /yro — that important factor, the cultivation of which is so 

 important to secure new workers in our Science. 



Of gen'.-ral collections, perhaps the only one in whiLh approximatelv 

 equal attention is paid to all orders, is that of Mr. looker, in Chicago 

 Mr. Bolter is probably the oldest of our collectors, his labors extending 

 over a period of forty \ears. During this time Mr. Holier has visited 

 nearlv all parts of the United States on collecting trips and has acumu- 

 lated a large mass of material of great value. This has been determined 

 in all orders by Specialists, and is therefore valual)le accordingly. ]\Ir. 

 Bolter has done no original entomological work. 



Quite of a different character is the collection of Mr. Henry Edwards, 

 practically general in extent, since it contains material in all orders: exce[U 

 in Lepidoptera and Coleoptera, however in a more or less chaotic con- 



* Prof. Forbes informs me that some l)oxes did go to Anllirt'iii, not havint; been 

 sent to Chicago in time to be burneil. 



