30 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 



opened a wide field of great interest, and he felt personally very grateful to the President 

 for giving such a clear account of the growth of fungi and bringing before the meeting 

 matters with which few of them were familiar. 



After the vote of thanks had been put to the meeting and pronounced " carried," 

 amid much applause, the President introduced Professor Panton, of the Ontario Agri- 

 cultural College at Guelph, whose work and labours were, he said, well known to all 

 who are interested in agriculture and entomology. Prof. Panton, who was very warmly 

 received, said he had great pleasure in being present at this annual meeting of the Ento- 

 mological Society of Ontario. He had done a good deal himself to disseminate the 

 teachings of the society during the last fifteen years, and each year he had been much 

 interested in reading the repcrts of its proceedings and researches, but till now he had 

 always been prevented from being present at its meetings. He then proceeded to give 

 the following address : 



ENTOMOLOGY FOR RURAL SCHOOLS. 



By Professor J. Hoyes Panton. 



It is a gratifying thing to observe, that within the past few years, there has been a 

 growing desire, on the part of farmers, to know more of the teachings of science, as it 

 bears upon agriculture. It has been the privilege of the writer to attend many Farmers' 

 Institutes since their commencement. At first, any topic of a scientific nature excited 

 but little interest. The great majority cared little to hear about a subject, which seemed 

 entirely of a theoretical nature ; and, far removed from the truly practical work of the 

 farm. However, that condition has passed away, and the average farmer now feels, that 

 a knowledge of the teachings of science lies at the very foundation of success in the 

 pursuit of agriculture. 



He has learned that science is simply systematized knowledge ; that its principles 

 are founded upon the facts which are discovered daily on the farm, or in the orchard. 

 In reality, the farmer is one of the most scientific of men, and is surrounded by condi- 

 tions especially fitted to develop observation, comparison, and method in work. The 

 Farmers' Institutes have done a great work in awakening farmers to the necessity of a 

 study of science, as it relates to their work. But we believe, a greater future is m store 

 for the people of rural districts, when their children shall have become acquainted with 

 the teachings of science, by giving some attention to its study, while, at the common 

 school, in their neighbourhood. With a view to direct attention to how the study of 

 economic entomology might be taught in country schools, this address is given before the 

 Entomological Society of Ontario. The subject of entomology is one well fitted for study 

 in rural schools ; specimens are readily obtained for illustration, and, it is especially 

 suited to interest young minds. 



This can be accomplished without additional expense in purchasing books, and with 

 little withdrawal of time from the time-table. 



The writer would suggest a series of talks upon the subject the last hour on Friday 

 afternoon, during a portion of the summer months, when insects are most numerous. 



Especial attention should be directed to such insects as are beneficial, or injurious, 

 invariably having the pupils collect specimens and contribute them so as to form a collec- 

 tion that would represent the economic entomology of the section. 



The following might be taken as an outline of several talks, before specific forms of 

 insects were discussed, and with a little study on the part of any teacher, would supply 

 valuable information : 



I. Definition of an Insect — Nature of the Mouth — Life History. 



An insect, Pig. 21. may be described as having three well-marked divisions: head, 

 thorax, and abdomen ; one pair of antennae (feelers), three pairs of legs, usually two 



