April, '02] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 121 



156, 2, p. 113.— Robertson, C. Some new Aculeate Hymenoptera from Illi- 

 nois and Florida, *2, No. 3, p. 195, May, 1901.— Sladen, F. W. L. Can bees 

 hear? The new scent organ. The British Bee Journal, vol. xxx, p. 61, Lon- 

 don, Feb., 02.— Szepligeti, 6y, Tropische Cenocoelioniden und Braconiden 

 aus der sammlung des Ungarischen National Museums, 49, xxiv Kotet, 

 P- 353. Oct., 1901. — Viereck, H. L. Some new parasitic Hymenoptera, 4, 

 xxxiv, p. 67, March, '02.— Wheeler, W. M. A new Agricultural Ant from 

 Texas, with remarks on the known North American species. American 

 Naturalist, Cambridge, xxxvi, February, 1902. 



Notes and News. 



ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS 

 OP THE GLOBE. 



Editor Entomological News : 



Dear .S/r.— The prostitution of the office of State Entomologist has 

 become notorious. Professionalism, or attempts at it, in other lines, a 

 small library, a few "bugs," a college education, any of these, or not 

 even as much as one of these, may be the excuse offered by some official 

 in appointing a favorite to fill this position. Recently the governor of 

 one of our commonwealths has been called upon to appoint a State ento- 

 mologist. One is surprised to find that the appointee's name is not found 

 in the Entomologists' Directory, in the International Zoologists' Directory, 

 or on the membership roll of the A. A. A, S. He is not a subscriber to any 

 entomological publication, to the best of my knowledge he never published 

 an entomological article in his life, and to my certain knowledge he cannot 

 .distinguish the orders of insects. Now he is State entomologist in a State 

 with a populati(jn of more than two millions, and the Entomologists' Direc- 

 tory gives the names and addresses of five entomologists in this Common- 

 wealth. 



The present incumbent will do wonders when he grapples with Chion- 

 aspis furfurus and Carpocapsa promonella. Indeed, I have been informed 

 by an entomologist in a neighboring State that 1000 budded pecan plants, 

 passed by the appointee mentioned above as free from San Jose scale, were 

 all infested with the scale, and not a plant of the lot was budded stock. 



The mass of easily accessible entomological literature at the present 

 time makes the compiling of an annual report an easy matter. This 

 annual report is often the only evidence required to substantiate the ento- 

 mologist's claim to efficiency. It would seem that officials, vested with 

 appointing power, would do well to consult well-known entomologists as 

 to the scientific attainments of possible appointees for this much abused 

 office of State entomologist. Economic entomologists in adjoining States 

 ought not be compelled to accept the bungling reports of some amateur 

 or worse. The position of State entomologist is too important, scientifi- 

 cally and economically, at once and in its future effects, to be the play- 

 thing of politicians and demagogues. Yours truly, E. B. Williamson. 



