274 



porated with the general collection, to the number of perhaps 

 two thousand. Some of these cases, especially among the New 

 York duplicates, have been visited by Dermestes lardarius and 

 badly injured, not exceeding twenty per cent, however. 

 Several double boxes exhibit biological illustrations in the shape 

 of galls, etc., generally well identified and labelled, but exposed 

 to derangement unless very carefully managed in the process of 

 transportation. A great number of specimens of Cecidomyia 

 and allied genera had been carded and studied by Dr. Fitch 

 with an astonishing amount of patient labor, but the too open 

 boxes which contained them have been invaded by the little 

 destroyer Ptinus fur, as we caught him flagrante delictu. 



A few hundred inteiesting and chiefly minute specimens 

 from Hong Kong, collected by the late Rev. M. S. Culbertson, 

 are in fair preservation, but not incorporated with the general 

 collection, as is the case also with a lot of larger forms from 

 Brazil, obtained by Sr. A. de Lacerda. 



One hundred and forty-eight note books, of about 10x15 cm. 

 (from memory), and varying thickness, contain an exhaus- 

 tive descriptive catalogue of the collection, each specimen 

 with its date of capture, locality, etc., being numbered, begin- 

 ning about the year 1833, and a brief diagnosis, followed by a 

 fuller description and remarks, accompanying the majority of the 

 New York species. The numbers of specimens referred to in 

 the note-bpoks reach as before stated fifty-five thousand (^circa^, 

 although doubtless many specimens have either been exchanged 

 or destroyed. 



Dr. Fitch's family value the collection as it stands at 

 the minimum rate established by the doctor himself, namely 

 five thousand dollars, certainly no exorbitant price for the fruits 

 of upwards of forty-five years' labor, and it is hoped that as 

 none of his family inherit his love for the science it will soon 

 pass into the hands of some institution of learning where 

 experienced and careful manipulators will cherish and preserve 

 this monument of patient industry, unrivalled on this continent 

 at least. 



A large and valuable library of works on entomology in 

 various languages, containing many rare and curious volumes. 



