REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR I918 229 



and moths, and the J. A. Lintner collection of nearly twenty 

 thousand specimens of all kinds of insects. 



Some years ago the state collection of insects was valued at $50,000. 

 This is a nominal sum and it is quite certain that the material could 

 not be duplicated for that amount. A pair of bird butterflies on 

 exhibition cost $20 and four large beetles $15. While these prices are 

 exceptional, it is true that a very large proportion of the specimens 

 can not be purchased and practically none with the records of so much 

 value to the economic entomologist can be secured through commer- 

 cial agencies. There are in addition, one thousand types, uniques, 

 which have been described by various entomologists and are held as 

 well-nigh priceless, since they are the final court of appeal in case of 

 a question as to the identity of an insect. 



We also have besides specimens of insects themselves, examples of 

 their work, such as a large series of plant galls showing myriad and 

 in many cases very striking developments of plant tissues, the char- 

 acteristic work of various pests in the products of the farm and the 

 remarkable borings of many wood-inhabiting species, these latter 

 frequently leaving behind them permanent records which not only 

 permit the identification of the insect but the recognition of the wood 

 and even make it possible to determine the condition of the tree at 

 the time it was attacked. 



This collection, aside from being representative of a very important 

 part of the animal life of the State, is literally a portion of the ento- 

 mologist's working library and is as essential, in many cases more so, 

 than the printed page, and no less necessary than the special library 

 is to the lawyer, doctor or other professional man. It might be 

 regarded as a series of volumes with a total of 100,000 pages, each 

 devoted to one stage of an insect or its work, and were this examined 

 critically, misplaced or illegible pages would be found. It is a 

 manuscript, as it were, rivaling in complexity those ancient rolls of 

 the Egyptians, exceeding in bulk many good sized libraries, demanding 

 special training for its correct interpretation and making incessant 

 demands upon custodians for repairs, replacements and additions. 

 It is still far from complete and years must pass before all stages of 

 our many insects and examples of their activity are adequately 

 represented in the New York State Museum. 



The lessons we may learn from nature profoundly affect our well- 

 being. There is no better introduction to an appreciation of the 

 wonders about us than through insects. They occur almost every- 

 where. Each group has its own characteristics and not a few exhibit 

 marvelous adaptations to conditions. There are the social insects 



