94 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, [April, 



delphia, Brooklyn and New York met. Two of these excursions have 

 been held, and accounts of them have been published in the Entomo- 

 logical News and "Canadian Entomologist." Every entomologist 

 knows what a stimulus it is to find some one else as interested in the study 

 as himself, and what additional pleasure it is to have a companion on a 

 collecting trip, with whom we can compare notes and show our inter- 

 esting captures; and there is alsc^a generous rivalry which induces us 

 to put forth our best endeavors. At Jamesburg, students and collectors 

 who had corresponded or known of each other for years, had the pleas- 

 ure of becoming more intimately acquainted and a hearty hand-shake, 

 and a pleasant chat and a comparing of notes was seen on all sides. Now 

 what we propose, is to carry this idea farther and organize a National 

 Association, to be composed of the different State organizations. The 

 objects of such an association would be the encouragement of entomo- 

 logical studies, to bring about the acquaintance of those interested in 

 entomology in each State, for the purpose of studying geographical dis- 

 tribution of insects, purposes of exchange, social collecting or field meet- 

 ings, and for mutual encouragement. An annual dinner might be given 

 and papers read and discussed by the members. Much progress has 

 lately been made in entomology in this country, and its importance as a 

 study is being more fully recognized as time goes by. We hope soon to 

 see such an organization formed in every State and Territory in the Union, 

 with its president, treasurer and s-cretary. The News will be much 

 pleased to hear of any State taking the initiative, and will gladly publish 

 the name of its officers and members. Some time ago a prominent ento- 

 mologist from a Western State visited us, and, in talking over matters of 

 mutual interest, we found that he did not know of half those interested 

 in entomology in his own State. Now, it should be the duty of the State 

 secretary of the organization to keep a complete list of all entomologists 

 in the State, with their addresses and order or orders in which they are 

 interested, and send a printed copy to each member, and from time to 

 time notify them of additional names. This article is only in the way of 

 a suggestion, and many other interesting outcomes of the plan may appear 

 and details carried out later on. — Ed. 



Rocks. — An entomological friend, to whom I once sent a letter bristling 

 with questions, replied, after a long silence, in explanation: " Remember 

 it is about 999 times easier to ask questions than to answer them !" The 

 questions and problems suggested by Messrs. Mason and Tough in En- 

 tomological News, are easily asked or stated, but there the simplicity 

 ends. 



In an old country like Europe, where there is a large population, with 

 many that are interested in Entomology, illustrated works such as those 

 suggested are feasible, and are in existence. In some cases wealthy 

 amateurs publish expensive works, beautifully illustrated, without hope 

 or expectation of return; while in others, the comparative cheapness of 

 reproductive methods allows of publications at a reasonable price, with a 



