202 Annals Entomological Society of America [Vol. IV, 



his later works, such as his monograph of the Lepidopterous 

 family Notodontidac). Yet these are so few that their number 

 may be regarded as negligible. That the necessity of color 

 standardization is imperative and that this is well recognized 

 is shown by Dr. J. B. Smith's addition of a plate of colors to his 

 recent "Dictionary of Entomological Terms." 



Structural (iridescent) colors are sometimes difficult to 

 define because of the varying hue, according to the angle of 

 refraction and reflection. Yet with reliable color charts these 

 difficulties would be obviated. 



Frequently the belief asserts itself that specimens were 

 described in lamp-light. How unsatisfactory and misleading 

 artificial light is taxonomists ought to know only too well. 

 The simple experiment of exposing green, yellow and brown 

 insects, notably shining specimens, successively to gas, electric, 

 acetylene, candle, kerosene and the natural sun-light yields 

 some surprising results. 



A color standard need not be an assortment of infinitesimal 

 shadings, gradings, and combinations of the primaries. A repre- 

 sentative selection of from thirty to fifty colors is sufficient for 

 all practical purposes. 



The fact that detailed comparison of the colors of a specimen 

 to color charts entails some extra labor should not deter taxo- 

 nomists from making these comparisons. The appreciation 

 and gratitude of their fellow-workers as well as of their follow- 

 ers will be their reward. The dominant color should be stated 

 in all cases. True, the colors of dead insects are rarely quite 

 the same as in life, or those of younger insects the same as 

 those of mature specimens. Yet the fact that colors have faded 

 in death, or that they change with age, is of secondary import- 

 ance. A description is not based on possibilities, but on tangible 

 concrete actualities. These alone should rule. If there are good 

 reasons for assuming that the colors of the specimen are not 

 representative, this can, and, in fact, should be stated. Hav- 

 ing a dominant color as a basis, it is comparatively simple 

 to fix the position, extent, and shade of the other colors an 

 insect may exhibit from further comparison to charts. 



The terminology of colors may be somewhat cumbersome. 

 But science is not "belle lettres"; the taxonomist does not con- 

 sider whether the sentences he reads are syntactically correct 

 or rhetorically rounded, but judges from their contents as to 



