242 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October, 



especially on economic entomology, soon made him well and 

 favorably known to the public. 



In 1868 he accepted the office of State Entomologist of Mis- 

 souri. For nine years he worked in this position. It was during 

 this time the great grasshopper plague of Kansas and Missouri 

 occurred, and his services in connection therewith as Chief of 

 the Entomological Commission of the United States were of the 

 highest value. 



In the Spring of 1878 he was tendered the position of Ento- 

 tomologist to the Department of Agriculture, which he accepted, 

 but shortly afterwards relinquished, retaining, however, his posi- 

 tion at the head of the Entomological Commission, and continu- 

 ing his work in the service of the Government. In 1881 the 

 Division of Entomology in the Department of Agriculture was 

 formed, and Professor Riley was placed at its head — a position 

 which he continued to occupy until last year, when, on account 

 of impaired health, he tendered his resignation. 



Professor Riley has given to the National Museum at Wash- 

 ington, his private collection of American insects, containing 

 more than 20,000 species, and represented by 115,000 pinned 

 specimens, and much additional material unpinned and in alcohol. 

 Professor Riley was a member of many scientific and philosophi- 

 cal societies of this country and Europe, and has received many 

 medals and diplomas of honor from foreign governments. In 

 1889 he received the insignia of Knight of the Legion of Honor. 

 At this time the French Minister of Agriculture wrote him a per- 

 sonal letter acknowledging the distinguished and valuable services 

 which he had rendered to French agriculture. 



H.OW HE WAS INJURED. 



Prof Riley left his residence at 2135 Wyoming Avenue, on Co- 

 lumbia Heights, a few minutes after nine o'clock, on September 

 14th, and, mounting his bicycle, started for the city by the way of 

 the Columbia Road and the extension of Connecticut Avenue. 

 There is a steep hill between California Avenue and Boundary 

 Street, and those who saw Professor Riley coming down this grade 

 noticed that he was riding more rapidly than was his custom. 

 When he reached the flat pavement at Connecticut Avenue and 

 S Street, whose intersection is but a few feet from Florida Avenue, 

 the front wheel of the bicycle struck a piece of granite that was 



