1895 THE MICROSCOPE 189 



The neglect of insisting upon similar requisites for the pur- 

 pose of arriving at a decision based upon an histological ex- 

 amination, as well as hasty examinations and the hasty 

 expression of opinions are often detrimental to the proper esti- 

 mation and appreciation of microscopy. Surgeons will some- 

 times ridicule the diagnosis of sarcoma by a microscopist, 

 because the neoplasm rapidly improves under mercury and 

 iodides ; if they have themselves a passable knowledge of 

 practical histology they will readily see how such a mistake 

 may sometimes happen. These errors are not so apt to occur if 

 the histologist has a properly prepared specimen and sufficient 

 leisure to make a thorough examination. Bat such examina- 

 tions require a familiarity with the subject. They take up 

 much time, have great practical value and should be well 

 remunerated. 



The Suspensionof "Insect Life." — Thisaction was recently 

 ordered by the Secretary of Agriculture and cuts off a valuable 

 periodical. The reasons for the suspension were practically 

 these: 



1. The very commendable activity of other bureaus than that 

 of entomology during the past few years had led their members 

 to feel that they also could edit valuable periodicals, and they 

 made known their desires to the Secretary. If Entomology had 

 its monthly, why not all the other bureaus? The Secretary 

 found it impossible to grant all the new requests for permission 

 to print. He could not consistently grant to Entomology what 

 he refused to others. 



2. The general adoption of the periodical plan of publica- 

 tion by Government departments was likely to prove offensive 

 to private publishers and became a killing sort of competition. 

 How could private publishers compete against free Government 

 issues? The Secretary very wisely decided not to enter the peri- 

 odical publishing business as a destroyer of private enterprise. 



The suspension occurring at about the time of Prof. Riley's 

 death has led some to infer a connection between the events. 

 Nothing could be further from the truth. Not only did Prof. 

 Riley leave the Department a year ago but while he was in it, 

 his connection with Insect Life was little more than nominal, the 

 active management having always been in the hands of Prof. L. 

 O. Howard, then assistant and now the Entomologist. 



