ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 



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Philadelphia, Pa., November, 1902. 



Science should not be made ridiculous by silly or absurd 

 statements. We are moved to make these remarks from see- 

 ing the term " frightened mouse color " in a description of an 

 insect, Colletes salicicola. Now, if there are any accurate obser- 

 vations to prove that a mouse changes color when ' ' pussy ' ' is 

 after it, we are willing to humbly beg the pardon of the per- 

 .son or persons using the term. We might suggest a photo- 

 graphic apparatus by which accurate observations could be 

 made along these lines. Mice and cats are both common. It 

 is said that under certain conditions negroes turn white (we 

 have not observed it), and as a parallel term to "frightened 

 moase " color, why not u.se " frightened negro" white? We 

 have .seen negroes turn white in the dissecting-room pickle, 

 but in that case their fright was over. After this we will care- 

 fully look at every mou.se we .see run across the floor, and will 

 shy a l)oot after it to produce a possible change of color. 

 Should not the species of mouse be mentioned ? What color 

 do white mice a.ssume when they have neurasthenia ? Doubt- 

 less some mice of the same species are paler than others, and 

 we suggest the term pale mouse color, but we hesitate to accept 

 a nomenclature ])aralk'l to " frightened mouse" colo^or "fright- 

 ened negro " white. We re.spectfully call the attention of the 

 United States Government Hureau of Standards to this subject, 

 and suggest that they investigate this matter in conjunction 

 with the Mamnialogical Hureau of the Department of Agricul- 

 ture. 



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