109 



loan of plalt-'a [n-t'viously used in llioir [Mihlicadon on "Tin* l\ci)til«'8 

 in (lie N'iciuily of Nrw York (Jily," by Hayniond L. Ditniars, from 

 ilu' Anu'iicau Museum Journal, \'ol. V, No. 3, July, IDO"). 



H. A. SlIKFACE, Economic Zooloj^isl, 



Uai'i'isburg, i*a. 



GENERAL REMARKS ON THE TURTLES OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



In considci-ation of llu- increasinj; nuuibcis of insect pests destruc- 

 tive to forest, fruit aud sliade trees iu this State, it becomes neces- 

 sary to make a careful study of the economic features of all residents 

 of woodland, tield and orchard. According to what is doubtl'ess 

 correct theory, such pests were previously held iu check in the bal- 

 ance of Nature by their natural enemies, but, due to the influence 

 of man, either intentionally or thoughtlessly, the balance has been 

 disturbed aud the pests are increasing greatly, showing evidence 

 that through one or more causes the enemies of such pests have de- 

 (;reased iu number. 



It is regrettable how few persons know which are really friends 

 aud which foes, not only in the insect world, but throughout the en- 

 tire realm o^ the lower forms of animal life. Tens of thousands of 

 individuals of various kinds inhabiting our forests, fields and gardens 

 are placed under the general suspicion of being obnoxious or de- 

 structive to personal interest?? or j)ropert3' of mankind, which by a 

 little investigation are shown to be beneficial iu the extreme and 

 which play an important part in the Plan of the Universe. It be- 

 hooves the student of such subjects to look carefully along this line, 

 prevent error, and see that truths are emphasized concerning such 

 neglected and despised creatures. 



Such students are forced to exclaim with Stillingsfieet: 



"Each moss, each shell, each crawling insect in the dust 

 Holds a rank important in the plans of Him who fram'd 



their being; — 

 Holds a rank, which, lo.st. would break the chain. 

 And leave behind a gap that Nature's self would rue." 



The study of the Turtles of Pennsylvania has been undertaken for 

 the purpose of emphasizing the economic features of those species 

 of which uninformed persons know so little, and which are conse- 

 (juently despistnl, neglected and often destroyed. The study is at- 

 tended with unusual diniculties, such as (1) the lack of jMDpular 

 knowledge concerning it, in consequence of which it is almost im- 

 possible to secure by correspondence, notes and observations of th^ 



