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nearly each family is represented by specimens and drawings of structural 

 peculiarities. 50 of these boxes will constitute this series which will thus 

 be a complete text book of North American Entomology, illustrated by 

 the insects themselves. Thirty-seven of these boxes are complete, and 

 for the balance the labels are printed, most of the drawings made, and 

 many of the specimens selected. 



For the practical or economic side we have a series of 8 boxes, illu- 

 strating insect injuries to forest trees. So far as possible all stages of the 

 insects as well as samples of their work are shown. Brief descriptive 

 labels are added in a large proportion of cases. 14 boxes illustrate insects 

 injurious to cultivated plants, and the arrangement is similar, save that 

 here the insect enemies of the injurious species are also given. A printed 

 label directs to the chief article on the subject and gives in brief words the 

 nature of the remedies to be used. 8 boxes are devoted to native and 

 foreign silk producers. 



In all we have on Exhibition about 3,200 species in about 10,000 

 specimens, beside architecture of insects. 16 boxes contain Exotic Co- 

 leoptera and Lepidoptera, and 6 contain American Lepidoptera, furnish- 

 ing the third part of the series. 



In describing the objects and aims of the National Museum collec- 

 tions 1 cannot do better than t]uote from Prof. Riley's Report as Curator, for 

 1886. He says: '* Collections of objects intelligently brought together, 

 are necessarily educational in influence; but a National collection of In- 

 sects, on account of ihe very grtat number of species, and the exceeding 

 minuteness and fragility of the great majority of the .species, as compared 

 will) oiher animals, must needs have a dual character, and should con- 

 sist of (1) the cabinet or study collection proper, and (2) the exhibit col- 

 lection." 



"The ideal Gz/'/>/^/ collection of a National Museum should repre- 

 sent, as completely as possible, the insect fauna of the country properly 

 classified and determined. It can, necessarily, have little interest for the 

 public at large and should be consecrated to the use of the Specialist, 

 and to the advancement of the Science of Entomology. For this purpose 

 it should be most carefully guarded and conserved in the best made 

 drawers and cases, and secured alike from light and the too constant 

 handling of the mere curious. It should constitute a study collection to 

 which workers are drawn for unpublished facts, and for comparisons and 

 determinations. It should be so well conserved and provided for, as to 

 induce describers of new species to add to it their types or authentic 

 duplicates thereof. It will be many years ere such an ideal collection can 

 be got together, and none now living may witness it ; but the material on 

 hand, forms a good foundation for it." 



