66 
and 1880, which rival in thoroughness and practicality the Missouri 
reports of Prof. Eiley and those which were issued by the Department 
after his resignation. The report for 1880 is marked by the publication 
of the results of a preliminary investigation of the insects affecting 
the orange, and more especially by an elaborate report upon scale 
insects, Avhich formed the basis of the study of this important and very 
destructive group of insects in this country. Upon the change of 
administration in 1881, Prof. Comstock was retired, with a year's com- 
mission as investigator, and Prof. Eiley resumed charge of the govern- 
mental entomological work. From that time until June, 1894, Prof. 
Eiley remained consecutively in office. The work which he has accom- 
plished has been of the highest order, and has been largely instrumental 
in placing the science of economic entomology in this country upon its 
present sound footing. During the course of his administration of the 
office he has published 12 annual reports, 31 bulletins, 2 special reports, 
6 volumes of the periodical bulletin Insect Life, and a large number 
of circulars of information. He has developed not only the scientific 
side of the work, but also the practical side. Under his direction 
advances have been made both in insecticides and insecticide machinery, 
which are of the most far-reaching importance. The earlier work of 
Prof. Eiley will be mentioned in another place, but it will be appropri- 
ate to state here that no other name in the annals of North American 
economic entomology stands out with the same prominence as his. His 
work has been called epoch making, and this expression may be con- 
sidered justified. His voluntary resignation at this time would be 
greatly to be deploi ed, were it not for the fact that, with the restora- 
tion of his health, which is confidently to be anticipated, he will resume 
his labors — in another capacity, it is true, but along entomological 
lines and with undiminished vigor. 
Aside from the work of the Division of Entomology, the Gen- 
eral Government has, upon one occasion only, provided for work in 
economic entomology, as have so many other governments, by the 
appointment of a special commission. The U. S. Entomological Com- 
mission was founded, by authorization of an act of Congress approved 
March 3, 1877, specifically to report upon the depredations of the Eocky 
Mountain locust in the Western States and Territories and the best 
practical method of preventing its recurrence, or guarding against 
its invasions. The commission was attached to the U. S. Geological 
and Geographical Survey of the Territories under the charge of Prof. 
F. Y. Hayden, and the office of chief was filled by the appointment of 
Prof. C. Y. Eiley by the Hon. Carl Schurz, then Secretary of the 
Interior. The other members of the commission, also appointed by 
the honorable Secretary of the Interior, upon consultation with Prof. 
Eiley, were Dr. A. S. Packard, jr., of Massachusetts, secretary, and 
Prof. Cyrus Thomas, of Illinois. The commission remained in existence, 
supported by annual appropriations by Congress of varying amounts, 
