1906] 
KELLOGG — GimVTH OF INSECT BIONOMICS 
153 
THE GROWTH OF INSECT RIOXOMICS. 
Till' interestinj; sugjjestions for observation and collectinj; which are embodied 
in the now-issuin»; new edition (tliird) of the “Anleitiino; zn Wissen.schaftliehen 
Reobachtungen Anf Reisen” edited bv Professor von Xeninayer do not, I am glad 
to notice, omit attention to tlie ethologic or bionomic aspect of natural history. In 
the ehajiter given to Arthropods, revised by Dr. L. Reh, .section II, devoted to special 
hints for observation, is composed of a series of most suggestive ])aragra[ihs suc- 
cessively entitled jiolymorphism, parthenogenesis, varieties, protective resemblance, 
mimicry, terrifying means, weapons, death-feigning, autotomy, regeneration, direc- 
tive marks, interrelations with other animals, parasitism, jilant injuries, galls, etc., 
benefits and injuries to man, jiollination of flowers, care of the young, instincts, 
special habits, etc., luminosity, and .sound-making. In these paragraphs a glimpse 
is given of the fascination of the bionomic study of insects, and of the wonderful 
ojiportunities for illuminating new ob.servations. Such ob.servation or .study need 
lack nothing of the e.xactne.ss or detailed character of morphologic or systematic 
work. It is too commonly assumed that ecology, ethology, bionomics, etc., are 
svnonvms for fads, for superficial ob.servation and reckle.ss generalization. In just 
so far as the studv of insect bionomics is pursued carele.ssly it is worthless; pursued 
exhaustively, accurately and keenly it is immen.sely worth while. Folsom’s book 
will helj) draw many entomologists into the allnring wel) of insect bionomic study. 
And this is a consummation devoutly to be wished. Rut don’t give up the old habit 
of eye-straining exactne.ss and utter fidelity to the minutiae of observation, as well as 
scientific caution in the formulation of generalizations. 
Vernox L. Kellogg. 
St.\XFOKI) UxiVERSITY, C.\LIF. 
