JOURNAL 



OF THK 



ppfa JBopk ^Intomologiral Horiptg. 



Vol. I. MARCH, 1893. Ko. 1. 



COMMON versus PROPER. 

 Bv A.NXiK 'rki'.MHL'i.i. Slosson. 



Entomologists differ now, as they have always differed, as to 

 the advisability and practicability of having a popular and simple as 

 well as a scientific and technical nomenclature in their own branch 

 of natural history. 1 will not enter into the general cjuestion 

 here, but simply relate a few incidents in my own experience as a 

 collector which seem to bear upon the matter. 



1 have a collection of insects, principally Lepidoptera. In it 

 are certain rare and interesting things, as some of you know. 

 There are some types, several unicjues, and many fine series, 

 showing gradations, varieties, seasonal and climatic differences in 

 certain species. All these insects, with very few exceptions, have 

 been taken by myself personally, or by frientls interested in 

 adding to my treasures; for 1 tlo not acipiire specimens by 

 exchange or purchase. And T can safely say that my collection 

 would be far smaller, infinitely less valuable and interesting, had 

 I been one of those who confine themselves strictlv to the use of 

 scientific and polysyllabic appellations in speaking of my favorites. 

 A few illustrations will show you what I mean. I spend a great 

 deal of time among the northern hills of New England. I am there 

 often in the spring time before the summer guests arrive, often 

 in the quiet autumn days when tourists and boarders have gone 

 to their city homes. At such times my only friends and compan- 

 ions are the villagers themselves. 'I'hese are intelligent, ap|:)recia- 

 tive people, but not what we call liberally educated. 'I'hey know 

 no Clreek or Latin and could not easily learn even the dreadful 

 mixture of tongues which j)asses for these languages in the 

 nomenclature of entomologv. Hut tlu\' [lossess, many of them, 



