97 



good and reliable condition, Visitors to the Museum for scientific pur- 

 poses have always been contented with the use of the types allowed to 

 them. 



For Tineina, the collection is rich in types of the late Prof Zeller, 

 and principally the late Mr. V. T. Chambers, and some of Prof H. 

 Frey, in Zurich. 



Prof P. C. Zeller's types are described in his four papers: Heitraege 

 zur Kentniss nordamericanischer Nachtfalter in Verhand. Z. B. Gesell. 

 Wien, 1872 to 1875. Three papers containing mostly Texas and 

 Eastern species, one only Western species. All types in the collection 

 are from Texas, collected by the late J. Boll in Dallas, Dallas County. 

 The whole collection was bought by the late Prof L. Agassiz, and 

 sent to Prof. Zeller for scientific work. Of the Eastern species, which 

 belonged to Prof Zeller's private collection (now owned by Lord 

 Walsingham), no tyjjes are present. To a certain extent this gap is 

 filled by the types of Prof H. Frey and J. Boll, collected by the latter 

 around Cambridge, Mass., and described in Stett. Ent. Zeit. 1876. 

 All specimens raised and spread by Mr. Boll are in good condition. 



Mr. V. T. Chambers wrote to me in 1876 that he had the intention 

 to present to the Museum all of his Tineina not destroyed by pests. 

 As he himself had not sufficient time to take care of his collection, 

 which had suffered extensively by several long absences from home, 

 he wished the remainder, about one-half, to be preserved for the sake 

 of science. A large lot arrived in 1876, and a similar one in 1877. 

 Several smaller lots in the following years, the last one, forty types of 

 Lord Walsingham, only a short time before his premature death. Mr. 

 Chambers declared himself that the specimens were in bad condition. 

 The first lot was in cotton loose in pill-boxes or in quills, and was 

 carded by myself as well as possible. The second lot and the later 

 ones were pinned, mostly set in pieces of pith, loosely enough, so 

 that always a large number had dropped out during their transjjorta- 

 tion. I have tried to restore all that could be restored, and Mr. Cham- 

 bers was so kind as to replace lost species if duplicates were at hand. 

 The only species spread were those bought by him from Waco, Texas, 

 collected by Mr. Belfrage. In general, and I am obliged to state the 

 truth, the types of Mr. Chambers are in bad condition, sometimes in 

 indifferent condition, and then scarcely fit to recognize the species, or 

 even the genus. Nevertheless I have carefully preserved even rudi- 

 ments, as they may give, perhaps, a negative result. Every where the 

 labels in Mr. Chambers' hand-writing are preserved. 



Prof H. Frey had the intention to study carefully the N. American 

 Tineina, and a part of them was sent to him. His failing health pre- 

 vented the execution of his intention, but he was able to make some 

 notes, which will be valuable for students. 



