302 Forty-first Report on the State Museum. 



"In Garabidce, including the CicwdeZidce, there are described, in round numbers, the 

 larviB of 120 species representing forty genera, out of a total of 9,300 species. 



" In Dytiscidce, there are described 22 species representing 13 genera, out of a total of 

 950 species and 35 genera. 



"In Hydrophilidce, there are described 30 species representing 14 genera, out of a total 

 of 570 species and 30 genera. 



" In Stajphylinidoi are described 75 species with 37 genera, out of a total of 4,130 species 

 and 270 genera. 



" In Silphidte are described 25 species with 9 genera, out of 460 species. 



" In Scarahmidce are described 85 species in 40 genera, out of 6,550 species. 



" In Buprestldm are described 70 species in 20 genera, out of about 2,700 species. 



" In Elate)~idcB, about 60 larvas described out of a total of 3,100 species. 



" In Gurculionidoe, about 260 larvae described in 65 genera, out of a total of 10,150 species. 



" In Geravibyoida', about 150 species of larvas described in about 70 genera, out of atotal 

 of 7,600 species. 



"A summing ap of the above shows that there are about 900 species of larvae described 

 out of a total of 45,600 species, giving a proportion of 1 to 50. Since the publication of the 

 Munich Catalogue, the description of new species has gone on with unabated activity, 

 while, at the same time comparatively very few larvte have been made known. Thus the 

 proportion will be now somewhat below two per cent. This refers to the whole world. 

 For the European fauna alone, the proportion is of course considerably higher, while 

 for the North American fauna, the proportion is but little above the average, and hardly 

 reaches 1 to 40, even including all of the unpublished larvae which are in our collections. 

 Of the 83 families of the North American Coleoptera, the larvae of no less than 20 fami- 

 lies are entirely unknown." 



The Bureau of Entomology at Washington. 



In consideration of the contributions made toward the advancement of entomological 

 science through the investigations and publications of the Division of Entomology of 

 the U. S. Department of Agriculture, it must be a source of gratification to us all, that 

 at no time since the establishment of the bureau, has it been in position to render more 

 efficient service than at the present. The recognition of its value and importance has 

 drawn to it the aid and the support that it needs for its successful operations. It is 

 much to be regretted that just at this time, its activity should be somewhat impaired, by 

 the ill health of its Chief Officer, compelling a temporary respite from official duties. I 

 know that you will unite with me in the earnest desire that the restoration of health 

 which he is seeking in rest abroad, may be speedy and complete. 



Valuable aid to economic entomology maybe confidently expected from the " Division 

 of Economic Ornithology and Mammalogy," recently established in Washington, under 

 charge of Dr. C. Hart Merriam, in .the investigations that are being conducted by it in 

 the food-habits of our insectivorous birds. 



Insects of the National Museum, etc. 



The appointment of one of the active members and an officer of our own club, to the 

 assistant curatorship of the Department of Entomology of the National Museum, under 

 provisions that will permit of the proper care and increase of the collections, is a grati- 

 fying event of the xiast year. This Department now contains the Riley collection 

 recently donated to it of 15,000 species and 115,000 specimens ; the collection of the Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture of 50,000 specimens, and probably 5,000 species not in the Riley 

 collection; the i-ollection of the National Museum proper, estimated at 20,000 speci- 

 mens, and 2,000 species not in the other collections; and the New Orleans Exposition 

 exhibited collection of economic entomology, of which a catalogue has been printed 

 and distributed. The aggregate may be given as 200,000 mounted specimens, and 26,000 

 distinct species. {Science, November 20, 1885, vi, p. 445.) 



The admirably prepared collection of Lepidoptera of Mr. Otto Meske, of Albany, N. Y., 

 embracing a fine exhibit of the New York fauna, rare material from Texas and other 



