332 
of the laboratory has steadily (perhaps uncon- 
sciously at times) enlarged from a most credit- 
able beginning in the study of insecticides, so 
that its work included the study of fungicides, 
then herbicides, and lastly, poisons for the 
destruction of vertebrate pests. Shall we call 
the latter “rodenticides” or “ zooicides” in 
order to complete the nomenclature of the list? 
The question may be asked: Should not in- 
secticides be studied by the economic entomol- 
ogist, fungicides by the plant pathologist, 
herbicides by the economic botanist, and 
rodent poisons by the economic zoologist? 
Most certainly they should be. In fact, they 
have been, and, as a result, the most impor- 
tant contributions to the literature have come 
from these sources. The questions involved 
are so complex as to require the application of 
the special knowledge of all of these scien- 
tists. The specially trained chemist may also 
contribute his share toward the solution of 
their common problems, a more intimate 
lkmowledge of the poisons which may be to a 
certain degree lacking in the others. 
Im an organization as large as our experi- 
ment station, it is sometimes difficult to avoid 
duplication of work by the various divisions. 
One way of avoiding duplication is for each 
man or group of men to have a very clear and 
well-defined conception of their respective 
functions in the machinery of the organiza- 
tion, whether it be a cog, a crank, a governor, 
or a safety valve, and then to confine their 
activity to the efficient performance of these 
functions. A study has been made of what 
should be the functions of this laboratory and 
it appears that it will serve the state well if it 
acquires and disseminates as complete a knowl- 
edge as possible of the poisons which are used 
for the control of insects, fungi, weeds and 
rodents; insecticides, fungicides, herbicides 
and “ rodenticides.” 
It has often seemed desirable to make use of 
a collective term in referring to the materials 
which are under study by the laboratory. Va- 
rious names have been suggested, the most 
appropriate of which appears to be “ economic 
poisons.” The qualifying word “ economic” 
1The terms ‘‘economie poisons’? and ‘‘eco- 
SCIENCE 
[N. 8. Vou. XLVIII. No. 1240 
serves to distinguish between the poisons which 
are made to serve a useful purpose in the con- 
trol of pests and the more popular conception 
of the meaning of “poisons” as being. sub- 
stances harmful to man. The use of the 
former is strictly of an economic character 
and anticipates either direct financial returns, 
or an improvement of the general welfare of 
the public. The expenditure of a dollar in 
the control of crop-destroying pests is not 
usually justified unless more than a dollar is 
thereby added to the net returns from the 
harvest. On the other hand, the poisoning of 
mosquitoes, flies, rodents, etc., in the interest 
of public health, does not necessarily involve 
the question of direct financial return. From 
both standpoints, the term “economic poisons ” 
seems appropriate as referring to the materials 
under discussion. 
The work of the laboratory has been thus 
described as having developed into a study of 
the various poisons, beneficial use of which 
has been made by society. Toxicology is the 
science which treats of poisons, their effects, 
antidotes and recognition. This science, how- 
ever, has been developed largely among men 
of the medical profession and deals with the 
poisons in respect to their harmfulness to man 
“and their use with criminal intent. As un- 
dertaken by this laboratory, poisons are studied 
for an altogether different purpose. Clearly, 
then, the unqualified word “toxicology” can 
not be used in this connection without con- 
fusion. Inasmuch as the study of poisons in 
respect to their harmful use has been given - 
the name “toxicology” the term “ economic 
toxicology ” will serve to differentiate the study 
of poisons in relation to the control of pests 
detrimental to agriculture and to the public 
health, and may be used to describe the activi- 
ties of this laboratory. 
Gro. P. Gray 
INSECTICIDE AND FUNGICIDE LABORATORY, 
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, 
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
nomic toxicology’? were suggested by the writer’s 
associate, Mr. M. R. Miller. See this journal, Vol. 
XLIV., No. 1185, page 264. 
