SECRETARY'S REPORT. 195 



The corresponding drawers of the second, or "Beneficial" column, 

 exhibit the species which are insectivorous in their habits, while the 

 third comprises tliose which are neutral as regards agriculture, or of 

 doubtful reputation. It is evident then, that this collection will be one 

 of reference, and serve as a lexicon, or index to the economical ento- 

 mology of the State : any person meeting with an insect with which 

 he is unacquainted, can bring it hither, and readily find its name and 

 habits ; with these data, he can study the remedies prescribed by tlie 

 various authorities, should it be injurious, or if otherwise, can extend to 

 it at least a sort of negative protection. Among the contributors to this 

 department during the year ending December 31, 1861, Mr. Emanuel 

 Samuels has devoted a large amount of time to the subject, and presented 

 many beautiful species, some of which are quite new and I'are. Mr. 

 Denis Murray has added a number of valuable specimens ; and miscel- 

 laneous collections, at various times, have been received from Messrs. 

 A. Jackson, 0. J. Rand, L. L. Thaxter, J. 6. Shute, T. C. Haskell, E. 

 S. Rand, Jr., Hiram Barrus, Jas. Farnham, C. W. Jenks, H. Cowles, 

 F. J. Kinney, Wm. Gregory, J. Hogan, and F. Whitcomb. 



HARRIS ON INSECTS. 



The preparation of " a new, enlarged and improved edition" 

 of Dr. Harris's valuable treatise on " Insects Injurious to Vege- 

 tation," ordered by the legislature of 1859, has been completed, 

 and the work has been issued in a manner generally admitted 

 to be creditable, in the highest degree, to the Commonwealth. 



The legislature made provision for placing a copy of the 

 work in every town in the State, and also for the liberal offer of 

 fifteen copies as premiums by each of the agricultural and hor- 

 ticultural societies. It will therefore be brought within the 

 reach of most farmers who desire to possess it. 



This valuable treatise cannot be too highly appreciated. Dr. 

 Harris was regarded by the most distinguished scientific men 

 in Europe as the highest authority in entomology, in the world, 

 and the former editions of the work were admitted by the first 

 entomologists, both in Europe and America, to be among the 

 ablest and most valuable contributions to the science that had 

 ever been made in any country or any language. 



For accuracy, simplicity, and beauty of description, they were 

 unsurpassed ; nor has any work since appeared in any part of 

 the Avorld which can compare with this in practical value, 



