Jan., '92] Entomological news. 17 



It seems incredible that people calling themselves entomolo- 

 gists should be guilty of such a crime against science. This 

 thing is practiced to prevent their entomological friends from 

 knowing whence the specimens come. We sincerely hope that 

 the people who adopt such methods will give up natural his- 

 tory and collect old shoes and hats, as they are certainly not 

 interested in the advancement of entomology. A knowledge 

 of the exact spot where an insect is found and the date of cap- 

 ture are most important and absolutely essential for the eluci- 

 dation of many entomological problems. 



We are glad to say that in Philadelphia, when an entomolo- 

 gist discovers a new or interesting locality or takes an unre- 

 corded species, his first impulse is to make it known to his 

 fellow-students and collectors. We are sorrj^ to say this is not 

 the case in some other places. We may also say, in passing, 

 that we have coined a new word, " Sloppy doptera," which has 

 reference to specimens captured with a baseball bat or tempo- 

 rarily loaned to the new baby as playthings before being ' ' sent 



out." 



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Mr. Wm. J. Fox, librarian of the American Entomological Society, re- 

 ports that the library contains 3,160 volumes. This does not include the 

 fine entomological library of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Phila- 

 delphia. These libraries, in the same building, contain the best and most 

 complete collection of entomological works on this continent. 



Mytilaspis beckii in California.— Last July, at Downey, Los An- 

 geles County, California, I had an opportunity to examine an orange 

 orchard. I was greatly interested to find Mytitaspis beckii (which, it used 

 to be said, would not live in California) excessively abundant and inju- 

 rious on the leaves and fruit. On the same trees the old California pests 

 Saissetia olecs, Aspidiotus aurantii and Icerya purchasi were also present, 

 but in such insignificant numbers that all three combined would not do 

 any appreciable damage. I had difficulty in geUing enough of the Icerya 

 for certain identification. I do not know how widespread this condition 

 of afiairs may be ; Dr. Howard, to whom I mentioned it, told me it was 

 new to him.— T. D. A. Cockerell. 



