2G 



This manner of keeping specimens will, I think, be particularly useful to collectors 

 of Coleoptera. I send this, feeling that each member of the Society should contribute 

 his mite of experience and knowledge for the benefit of his fellow- workers. 



NOTES ON A WINTER HOLIDAY. 



B. W. SAUNDERS, LONDON, ONT. 



During a recent holiday, while on a trip South, I spent a day among the Entomolo- 

 gists at Albany, N.Y. To say that it was a pleasant day, an exceedingly enjoyable day, 

 would convey but a faint idea of the pleasures there experienced. Arriving early in 

 the morning, I made my way to the State Museum of Natural History, where under 

 the guidance of Messrs. Lintner, Meske and Hill, three veteran Entomologists, I had 

 the pleasure of inspecting the countless rarities contained in the collections of Lepidop- 

 tera made by those gentlemen in this vicinity. I have seen many collections in the 

 course of my wanderings, but for multiplicity of species, full series of rarities and 

 matchless perfection of individual specimens, it had never before been my pleasure to 

 witness anything that would compare with the valued stores contained in the cabinets 

 of these enthusiastic collectors at Albany ; and without fear of contradiction, it may be 

 said that the Entomologists resident there have contributed more towards our know- 

 ledge of the Lepidoptera native to the northern portions of America, than any other 

 equal number of collectors in the country. The enthusiasm they have long maintained 

 and their indomitable perseverance have enabled them to overcome almost every obsta- 

 cle and accumulate such wonderful series of specimens, especially by night captures at 

 sugar, as no less favoured Entomologist could look over without feelings almost akin to 

 envy. After one had seen scores upon scores of individuals of some rare Noctuid, 

 which in one's own collection had perhaps long been represented by a treasured frag- 

 ment, the question would frequently rise as to whether anything in this line be rare in 

 the neighbourhood of Albany. 



During the day I was also privileged to see the magnificent series of Catocalas in 

 the collection of Dr. Jas. H. Bailey, and one could only regret that the day was too 

 short to do any sort of justice to the mass of material to be inspected. After labouring 

 busily from early morn until late at night, we parted at the railway station, with the 

 most pleasant recollections of a day happily spent amidst old and and newly-found 

 Entomological friends. 



On reaching Washington, Nov'r 23, a brief visit was paid to the Entomological 

 rooms, in the Department of Agriculture, where I had expected to find my esteemed 

 friend, Prof. C. V. Riley, but unfortunately business had called him away from home. 

 Through the kiudness of Messrs. Pergande and Howard I was shown very many things 

 of interest, especially in the way of insects in their earlier stages, both living in breeding 

 cages and preserved as blown larvae, and in this way a very pleasant and instructive 

 hour or two was spent. It was a source of grief to learn from our good friend, Ohas, R. 

 Dodge, that " Field and Forest " was about to be discontinued for want of sufficient sup- 

 port. This valued periodical has done good service in the cause of Natural Science, 

 awakening an interest in this direction in many minds, and in its decease we have lost 

 a valuable aid. It gave me much pleasure to find that veteran Entomologist, Prof. T. 

 Glover, with health almost restored, busily engaged in his Entomological work. Through 

 the affable kindness of Dr. T. V. Hayden, I was shown through the Department of the 

 Interior, that great national laboratory from whence has issued so many works invalu- 

 able to the naturalist in every field of labour. After lingering long among the many inter- 

 esting objects which claimed attention, I returned laden with useful works and pamph- 

 lets on subjects relating to Entomology, deeply impressed with the important work here 

 carried on by a great and progressive nation in the interests of science ; and with very 

 pleasant recollections of the great personal kindness shown me by .the worthy and dis- 

 tinguished head of this most useful branch of the national service. 



