1890.] " ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 27 



Europe on the swallow and the bat. Is it not very possible that in most 

 cases, and perhaps in all cases, where bed-bugs have been reported in 

 swallow's nests in this country that this was the species present, and not 

 A. lectiilaria ? C. P. Gillette. 



West Cliff, Custer Co., Col., Dec. 16, 1889. 

 The Editor Entomological News, 



Dear Sir: — I received your preliminary circular, or prospectus, to- 

 day, and am glad to hear of the new journal. Conducted on the lines set 

 forth, and by the editor and committee announced, it cannot fail to be 

 highly useful. It will bring entomologists in closer touch and to more 

 harmonious feeling than has yet been seen on this side of the water. * * * 

 It has occurred to me that Entomological News might fulfil a very 

 useful function by collecting facts and opinions regarding the various ques- 

 tions which have been or are under debate in entomological circles. Thus, 

 you might announce in successive numbers of the journal that facts and 

 opinions were required concerning such questions as : 



1. Does moisture cause melanism, and if so, why ? 



2. Ought varieties to be named, and if so, to what extent ? 



3. Should the term " form" be used to indicate slight varieties? 



4. In symmetrical insects does one side tend to vary more than the 

 other in an average of numerous examples ? 



And so on. 



Then a "question editor" might be appointed (or a committee) to sift 

 and arrange the resulting correspondence, and finally draw up a report 

 showing the trend of opinion and the weightier facts on either side. Don't 

 you think that would be useful ? 



You might also have a " Variation Committee," to receive reports of all 

 varieties, and assort and arrange them when convenient for publication. 

 In this way facts from all hands would be correlated and their significance 

 understood. 



Hitherto there has been too much exclusiveness. Those who were not 

 specialists, or great students, have thought they could do nothing, whereas, 

 properly guided, they can do everything! But they must not be slighted 

 or looked down upon because they are " beginners." 



Yours very truly, 



Theo. D. a. Cockerell. 



[The projectors of Entomological News have had the plans for its 

 management and publication under advisement for some time past; in fact 

 ever since the untimely demise of " Papilio," in 1885, it has been more or 

 less in their minds. Though for some time assured that such a journal as 

 they hope to make it was needed they have continued to feel doubtful of 

 its reception by the entomological public until answers began to pour in 

 from those who received the preliminary circular alluded to above. Letters 

 such as this from one of the most active biologists interested in our science 

 have reached us in sufficient numbers to assure us that American and 



