66 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



smaller insects have been made and incorporated in the collections 

 as in earlier years. 



The work upon exotic Itonididae referred to above has resulted in 

 adding a number of types, both generic and specific, to an already 

 very large collection. A unique addition was that of Mr Howard 

 Notman of Keene Valley and Brooklyn who generously donated a 

 collection of 648 admirably mounted specimens taken at Keene 

 Valley, a locality where comparatively little collecting has been 

 done in this group. Attention should also be called to the bees 

 kindly donated by Prof. T. D. A. Cockerell, Boulder, Col., and to 

 the African insects secured by exchange with Prof. H. T. Fernald 

 of Amherst, Mass. Other acquisitions are listed under additions to 

 collections. 



Earlier estimates by the Entomologist indicate a native fauna of 

 approximately 20,000 species, which means fully 100,000 specimens 

 if we are to have only one representative of each sex and of each of 

 the three other stages, namely, egg, larva and pupa, to say nothing 

 of specimens illustrating work and habitat. Many species should 

 be represented by series illustrating variations and habits. A state 

 collection should possess all these if it is to take its proper place in 

 the exposition of our natural resources. Much has been accom- 

 plished through the natural history survey work summarized in the 

 preceding report, though very much still awaits the competent 

 investigator. The urgency of the immediately practical should not 

 eliminate research, since progress is possible only through the latter. 

 This is true not only of the development of a representative collec- 

 tion, itself an indispensable aid to the best economic work, but is 

 fundamental in establishing effective methods of controlling many 

 destructive insects. There is great need of a more adequate develop- 

 ment of the work along these lines if the entomological branch of the 

 Museum is to discharge its full duty to both State and Nation. 



The constantly increasing specimens have filled the boxes or trays 

 to such an extent that there is urgent need of more space for this 

 material. The wooden cases containing the insect collections should 

 be replaced by steel cabinets and more provided to accommodate 

 the additional boxes and trays required. No adequate provision has 

 as yet been made for the constantly increasing biological material, 

 which is also true of the large number of microscopic slides, many 

 of them containing types of species and genera and therefore unique. 

 A metallic filing case for the collection of negatives and "photographs 

 illustrating insects or their work is also greatly needed. 



