9 



comparative inefBciency of miscellaneous collections of articles, such 

 as comprise the bulli of most reports and bulletins, so far as reaching 

 the public is concerned. 



The economic entomologist of America can not be charged with lack 

 of energy and thoroughness, particular^ when a species inflicts enor- 

 mous losses upon staple crops. 



A brief resume of the literature reveals the somewhat surprising 

 fact that over 1,825 octavo pages have been occupied by various writers 

 in discussing the Rocky Mountain locust. The next insect to approach 

 in importance this ^ery serious pest, so far as the extent of the liter- 

 ature devoted to it is concerned, is the comparatively recently estab- 

 lished San Jose scale, accounts of which already fill 1,160 pages. This 

 species is closely followed by the excellent reports and the exhaustive 

 monograph on the gypsy moth, comprising a total of 1,15'1 pages. The 

 chinch bug comes next in importance, if we may judge of its rank by 

 the 1,032 pages devoted to a discussion of it by various writers; and this 

 is closel}' followed by the cotton worm with 908 pages, which is fre- 

 quently treated of with its associate the boUworm, so that the two 

 have monopolized 1,328 octavo pages. The codling moth is one of our 

 older insects, and it is perhaps not surprising that 887 pages have been 

 devoted to a discussion of its habits and the methods of controlling 

 it, while the Hessian fly, also an early importation, has an extensive 

 literature of over 629 pages. The periodical cicada has a literature 

 extending over 647 pages, while 100 bulletins or separates, comprising 

 1,62-1 pages, are largely devoted to discussions of insecticides and appa- 

 ratus for their application. 



The estimates given above are only approximate, and have been 

 rigidly limited to articles appearing in the more permanent bulletins 

 and reports, no account being taken of newspaper articles. The entire 

 literature of any one of these insects must be much more extensive 

 than indicated b}^ the aljove figures. It is probably impossible to 

 avoid the somewhat extensive duplication of work represented by 

 these figures, because the entomologist of each State is obliged to meet 

 the demands of his constituents, and it is therefore frequently neces- 

 sary to republish man}" well-known facts. 



The monographic accounts of these species serve a very useful pur- 

 pose in showing how much tiiere is to be learned concerning each 

 insect, and afl'ord worthy models to inspire the investigator engaged in 

 studying the life histories and habits of less known forms. 



Ni:WSPAPER AND MINOR ARTICLES. 



An estimate ])ased on the bibliographies of American economic 

 entomology and a calculation of the number of articles pul)lished 

 between January 1, 1900, and December, 1902, gives the enormous 



