580 THE AMERICAN NATURALIST.  [VOL. XXXII. 
The following propositions may be considered as a synopsis 
of the conclusions arrived at in the preparation of this paper : 
Firstly, the province of economic zodlogy should embrace 
(a) the study of the functions and habits of living creatures in 
their relations to nature and to each other, with special refer- 
ence to the uses and welfare of mankind ; (4) the publication 
of the results of this study in a form most easily accessible to 
and understood by the public, with a view to correct popular 
errors and enlist the sympathy and coöperation of the people 
in the necessary reforms ; (c) the perfecting of legislation for 
the control of injurious, and the protection and encouragement 
of beneficial, species ; (d) the prevention of an unequal admin- 
istration of economic laws, having in view the peculiar needs 
and industries of the region involved, and the varying circum- 
stances of environment, the aim always being to secure the 
greatest good for the greatest number ; (e) giving the benefit 
of doubt as to the economic value of a species to the species 
in question ; (f) the recognition of the fact that true economy 
cannot ignore the zsthetic and the altruistic in its enforcement 
of utilitarian laws. 
Secondly, concerning the subject of economic zodlogy as 
specially affecting the United States it may be said : (a) that, 
in general, experience has shown that the extermination of 
any native species on economic grounds is undesirable, but its 
restriction, temporary or continuous, may be a subject for wise 
legislation ; (4) that the damage done by many so-called nox- 
ious species is offset in a degree beyond calculation by the 
fact that they form a large share of the food of beneficial or 
harmless species, which, if deprived of this source of supply, 
would be exterminated or become harmful by recourse to an 
unnatural diet ; (c) that in the United States we have large 
areas so nearly in their virgin state that the balance of nature 
there existing may be taken as a criterion by which to restore 
the most natural order compatible with the changed conditions 
of populated districts; (æ) that the unwise destruction of 
so-called noxious species in this country has not gone so far 
toward extermination that present-day reforms will fail to be a 
remedy, as is the case in Europe; (e) that the unity of our 
