Oct—Dec.,1919 Bulletin of Brooklyn Entomological Society 149 
EDITORIAL. 
ON “LEAVE TO PRINT.” 
We have what no doubt may seem unsophisticated editorial 
ideas naively expressed. If we had the gift of a great ex-Presi- 
dent of ours, we might express tried truisms in thunderous and 
arresting form. But we are just ourself, as God made us and we 
spoilt it, so we must do the best we can. 
Nothing is finer than academic freedom, the freedom to voice 
Opinions in scientific matters without trammels. And so we have 
endeavored to act in regard to the MSS. presented for this But- 
LETIN. Everything submitted has been accepted so long as it 
accorded with our published policy and so long as space held out. 
We have endeavored to exercise discrimination in the quality 
of the matter presented, but always we have felt that every man, 
even a mere writer on insects, is entitled to his day in court. So 
we have contented ourselves with here and there dotting an 7 or 
crossing a ¢. But never is any change of moment even thought 
of, not even to clearing up evident obscurities. We have felt 
that each man has said what he wanted to say in his own way. 
It is obvious, it seems to us, that a patently erroneous state- 
ment is more fruitful than one perfectly correct, and an article 
incorrect in itself frequently does more to advance science than 
one perfect in all its parts. For the perfect article leaves the 
reader satisfied. Even if he knows of some additional fact, he is 
disinclined to burst into print with it from natural modesty or 
from reluctance to dim the luster of the author’s effort. 
But let some miserable sinner slip up but once! MHis hour is 
come! Those of opposing thought will elaborately set him right, 
for if “to err is human,” to correct is more human.. And even 
entomologists have human attributes when the cosmic vibrations 
- are out of harmony. Likewise his friends may come forth with 
the quip merrie. 
When the dust dies down, science has advanced, for what re- 
mains is impregnable fact. 
And as to the assay pieces, if we editors admit only the perfect 
work of the perfect, many a month we would publish the cover 
ads. only. 
Let us rejoice and be happy when we peruse the debatable 
paper, for out of discussion cometh the light. aE 
