1900.] DR. MACDOUGALL AND CHINESE MINISTER 307 



Yesterday I had a long letter from Mr. E. P. Stebbing, 

 Chittagong, Bengal, accompanying a large pamphlet on 

 " Injurious Insects of Indian Forests/' published by the 

 Indian Government. He wrote that he was taking up the 

 subject of Injurious Insects (agricultural as well as forest), 

 and that the Indian Government having "put him on 

 special duties for two years to tackle the question," he 

 wanted me to advise him on a number of points. I am 

 sure I do not feel competent. However, I wrote him as well 

 as I could, and had to look up the shorthand writer we have 

 talked about, and get him to put it in typewritten form 

 so I helped myself, at least. When I get the copies I 

 propose just to put one in an envelope for you to see what 

 I have been suggesting. But I only send it because you 

 are so very importantly engaged in Indian, &c., work. I 

 should like you to be able to look at it, if you like, but only 

 if you like. Pray put it in the rubbish basket if it is the 

 least trouble. 



Septembei 25, 1900. 



Here is " Prevention and Remedies," and the other odds 

 and ends for " Stock Flies." 



" The picture " has come, and I think that as Mr. Elliott 

 said, it is really a " great success." I hardly know how to 

 comment on my own appearance, but if you should be 

 writing to Dr. MacDougall he would tell you about it. I 

 almost think I shall be glad when it goes on, it is such 

 a curious feeling to have my own eyes looking at fne 

 so steadily. I suppose when we get into the next month 

 I may write in form to Dr. Taylor, to inquire if I may be 

 permitted to ask acceptance. 



I very much enjoyed Dr. MacDougall's visit. We 

 talked Entomology most pleasantly, and I think arranged 

 very satisfactorily all necessary preliminaries for our proposed 

 Forest Insect book. The little visits which have been 

 given me this summer have helped me very much, as well 

 as being a great enjoyment though none so much as 

 yours and it is a fact, as you mention, that if the ladies 

 come too, it perplexes the talk very much ! I want to learn 

 all I can in the time. 



September 27, 1900 



I was very much surprised yesterday to receive about six 

 dozen large Plant bugs, 1 with a communication from the 

 Chinese Minister Plenipotentiary (in London), over his own 



1 Tessarotowa papillosa, Dravy. (O. E. J.) 



