54 THE REPORT OF. THE [19 



" Descriptions of new genera and species of the Geometrina of North Amerioa," by 

 Geo. D. Halst, Brooklyn, New York. 



"Notes on some Ontario Acridiidye," by E. M. Walker, Toronto. 



" Classification of the Horntails and Saw-flies, or the sub-order Phytophaga," by 

 William H. Ashmead, assistant curator Dep. of Insects, U. S. National Museum. 



" Additions to my Synopsis of the Tachinidse," by D. W. Coquillett, Washington, 

 D.C. 



The twenty-ninth annual report of the Society " (published by the Ontario Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture, Toronto), printed by order of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario," 

 has just been issued. It is embellished with portraits of William Hague Harrington, 

 P. Pv. S. C, president of the Entomological Society of Ontario, 1893-5, and John Dear- 

 ness, I. P. S., president of the Entomological Society of Ontario, 1895-7, and also with 

 67 figures of insects. It contains a full account of the annual meeting, reports from the 

 officers and the various divisions and branches of the Society, the President's address, 

 articles entitled : 



" Some economic features of International Entomology," by F. M. Webster. 



" The farmer's garden and its insect foes," by the Rev. Thomas W. Fyles. 



" Entomology in schools," by Wm. Lochhead, Ont. Agr. College, Guelph. 



" Injurious insects in 1898," by Dr. James Fletcher, Ottawa. 

 And a number of short papers of great value. 



In the president's address attention is drawn to some remarkable experiments, of 

 interest to biologists, made by Mr. Henry E. Crampton, jr., of the Department of Zoology 

 of Oolumbia University. Mr. Crampton succeeded, in a number of instances, in grafting 

 one insect in the pupal stage upon another in the same condition. For instance, he cut 

 off the head portion of one chrysalis and several segments of the abdomen from another, 

 and then joined the main portions of the two by means of a ring of paraffin. Coalascence 

 was completed and, after a time, a living, eight- winged monstrosity was produced. 



The disposition evinced by some, in the present day, to tamper unnecessarily with 

 the nomenclature and classification of insects, now accepted, is also spoken of. Our 

 systems are not perfect, but the day for a thorough revision of them has not yet come, 

 and will not till the life histories of the varioas species, and the literature respecting them 

 are better known. The late Dr. Lintner did excellent work in tracing such histories, and 

 in heading his remarks with names and synonyms and references to authors. His work 

 in these respects as in others is a model for entomologists. 



In connection with this subject, the paper by Mr. D wight Brainerd, in this same 

 report, on " The preparation of specimens for the exhibition of life histories in the cabi- 

 net " will be found valuable. The plate that accompanies it shows groups of insects in 

 all stages. There are the eggs, the larva, the pupa, the perfect insects (both types and 

 varieties), the wings denuded of scales to show the venation, and the parasites that 

 assail the species. From an educational point of view, a complete collection on Mr. 

 Brainerd's plan would indeed be accounted a treasure. The article is the more valuable 

 because the author describes his methods of preparing specimens for the cabinet. 



Another important paper in the report is Prof. Wm. Lochhead's " Entomology in 

 the Schools ", showing Why ? How ? and When ? the subject should be brought before 

 the rising generation. 



It is hoped that sufficient has been said to show that the society's publications are of 

 value. Prepared chiefly for the agricultural community, its reports deal largely with 

 troublesome insects and the methods of destroying them ; but the beautiful and beneficial 

 species are not overlooked in them ; and even, as regards the less attractive kinds, so 

 much that is wonderful in their structure and life histories is made known to us — so 

 clearly is it shown that through and beyond the trouble they may give to man, destructive 

 insects have important parts to play in the economy of nature, that our admiration is 

 excited, and we feel the truth so quaintly expressed by the Rev. George Herbert : 



' ' Nothing we see but means our good, 



As our delight, or as our treasure ; 

 The whole is either our cupboard of food 



Or cabinet of pleasure. 



