212 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 
or a State of the Union, from the Atlantic to the Pacific—to meet together 
for mutual conference on matters Entomological. Questions affecting the 
Science in general can hardly fail to arise from time to time, and demand 
the consideration, and, possibly, the decision of some such united 
council. Certainly, the proceedings of such a gathering will be of great 
interest and value to all who take part in them, if not, indeed, to the whole 
circle of Canadian and American Entomologists. 
At the informal meeting at Dubuque, in August last, one subject was 
specially brought forward for discussion,which I cannot forbear alluding to 
more particularly here, especially as it may justly be considered the great 
question of the day in the Entomological world. I refer to the subject of 
the Specific and Generic Nomenclature of Insects. For some few years 
past indications have not been wanting of a growing inclination amongst 
the mass of Entomologists to resist the efforts made by some few able and 
distinguished writers to impose, year after year, new sets of names upon 
our common insects. ‘This has been done partly by the revival of the 
jong-forgotten names published at the close of the last century, or the 
beginning of the present one ; and partly by the perpetual formation of 
new genera, and the re-distribution of species. The ability of the writers 
and the good work they have done in other respects, have caused these 
annoying changes to be acquiesced in for the most part, even though the 
object in view appeared to be rather the exhibition of their powers of 
research among antiquated tomes, or the supposed immortalization of 
themselves by the attachment of their own names to those of our familiar 
insects. I do not say that these men were actuated entirely by such 
motives, but assuredly one can hardly be accused of ill-natured_ criticism 
in ascribing much of the work to such causes. All must admit, I think, 
that nomenclature is but a means to an end, and that end is surely best 
attained by the preservation of all names that have been in universal 
acceptation for a period of years, and that cannot be set aside without 
disturbing the cabinets of every Entomologist in the land. 
Matters in this respect have been brought to a climax by the recent 
publication of Mr. Scudder’s ‘‘Systematic Revision of some of the North 
American Butterflies.” I esteem Mr. Scudder so highly as a friend; and 
value so greatly the good scientific work that he has done, that it pains me 
exceedingly to say a single word against anything that he may put forth. 
His projected “ revision,’ however, is so sweeping and so revolutionary 
that I cannot forbear to make some remarks upon it. I know that his 
scientific labours are perfectly unselfish, and that he is entirely destitute of 
