8 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



An example of the value of locality labels occurs in the common 

 sulphur butterfly of the eastern states, Eurymus philodice, the points 

 of difference between this and its western representative. Eurymus 

 eriphele, are so slight that without locality labels no one but a close 

 student of this genus could tell one from the other. As any one can 

 get these labels printed with locality and collector's name in 3 point 

 type for the small sum of 25 cents per thousand, there is no reason why 

 every collector should not have a supply of these on hand. 



Low setting has fallen into disuse in nearly all countries, with the 

 exception of the British Isles. It has many disadvantages as compared 

 with high setting, chief of which is the greater danger to the attack of 

 insect pests, and in those species which are liable to "grease," the 

 danger of the grease spreading to the lining of the box and ruining the 

 whole of the specimens contained therein is very great. 



Now as to arrangement. I have seen collections of Lepidoptera 

 beautifully set and labelled correctly, but badly mixed up — diurnals, 

 noctuids and geometers all in one box ; genera split up, some in one 

 box, some in another; and even specimens of the same species scattered 

 through two or three dififerent boxes. The result of this haphazard 

 arrangement is that when one wants to show a fellow-collector a certain 

 group or even a certain species, one has to hunt through half a dozen 

 boxes or drawers, as the case may be, befol^e finding them. It is time 

 well spent to go over one's entire collection every winter and arrange 

 it in accordance with the list which is the recognized standard of the 

 time. We should have no difficulty as regards this from now on, as 

 the new check list just published will probably be the standard list for 

 a great many years. 



As regards insect pests in our collection, immediate steps should be 

 taken to exterminate them at the very first sign of their presence. 

 Nothing is more sure or certain than a tablespoonful of bisulphide of 

 carbon in a small container, and placed in the box or drawer and left 

 for twenty-four hours. All exchanges should be subjected to this 

 process before being placed in our cabinets, as very often pests are 

 introduced into our collections by specimens from outside sources. 



I would also like to ask our more active members to study their 

 insects more in the leisure hours of the winter months. I am sure 

 many interesting points would be discovered and many mistakes recti- 

 fied. I have seen in several collections different species listed under 

 the same name, in some cases as many as three, and in one case four; 

 also the same species listed under two dififerent names, and so on. I 

 think in cases like this a little more care and study would eliminate 

 these mistakes. 



I would be sorry to see the collection of any member of our Society 

 come under the scathing indictment made bv Mr. Wollev Dod on the 



