304 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



now chief of the division of entomology, of the United States depart- 

 ment of agriculture: 



The movement which resulted in the passage of this law" was started 

 by the regents of the University of the State of New York at their annual 

 meeting in 1877, ^"^ ^^^ person appointed to fill the office was Dr J. A. 

 Lintner, a well-known worker in entomology, who, up to that time, had 

 been connected with the state museum of natural history. Dr 

 Lintner has held office continuously since 188 1. He brought to bear 

 upon his duties a ripe experience and a mind trained in scientific meth- 

 ods. He has pubhshed nine reports, the last one covering the year 1892, 

 and only recently distributed. These reports are in many respects 

 models. The great care and thoroughness of the author have hardly 

 been equalled by any other writer upon economic entomology. The 

 form of the reports is most admirable, and the account of each insect 

 forms almost invariably a complete compendium of our knowledge con- 

 cerning it down to the date of publication. His accounts are also ar- 

 ranged in the most convenient form for reference, a full bibliography 

 precedes the consideration ol each species, and the frequent subheadings 

 enable the most practical use of the report. The reports are replete with 

 sound and ingenious practical suggestions, and are written in a straight- 

 forward, simple style, which possesses great hterary merit. They abound 

 in illustrations, and are made available by most complete indices and 

 tables of contents. Aside from these reports, Dr Lintner has published 

 a great deal in the newspapers, particularly the Country gentleman^ on 

 the subject of economic entomology, and another valuable feature of his 

 reports is the comprehensive list which he pubhsheseach year of his unof- 

 ficial writings. 



Without the magnificent opportunities our universities are offering 

 today, this life shows in the highest degree the results of patient effort 

 supplemented by untiring perseverance. Although prohibited by cir- 

 cumstances from devoting his whole time to scientific pursuits till late in 

 life, his great love for nature enabled him to attain one of the highest 

 positions in his chosen work. In 1884 the honorary degree of doctor of 

 philosophy was conferred on him by the regents of the University of the 

 State of New York. He was president of the Entomological club of the 

 American association for the advancement of science and the Associa- 

 tion of economic entomologists, two years each, and was president of the 

 department ofnatural science of the Albany institute from 1879 till his death. 

 He was elected to membership not only in learned societies in this coun- 

 try, but many of those abroad were proud to enroll his name on their 

 books, as may be seen by the appended list of memberships held at the 

 time of his decease. A short time before his death he was granted a six 

 months' leave of absence by the regents in recognition of his long and 

 faithful services. 



« Laws of 1881. ch. 377. The orisrinal appointment was made by Governor Cornell in 1880, 

 under authority of ch. 549 of the.laws of that year. 



