FIFTH REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR I908 



45 



The arrangement and classification of the collection has received 

 much attention. Assistant Entomologist D. B. Young has sepa- 

 rated the Staphylinidae into their major groups and determined 

 many species. He has also given considerable time to the arrange- 

 ment of the Syrphidae. The completion of the catalogue of the 

 Hill collection occupied much time during the past year. Miss 

 Hartman also assisted in the preparation of this catalogue and has 

 done much general curatorial work, such as mounting, labeling and 

 caring for insect specimens. 



General. The tacit limitations of earlier years confined the 

 studies of the economic entomologist to insect enemies of well recog- 

 nized farm crops, such as corn, potatoes, fruits, or to those forms 

 annoying or injurious to domestic animals. The later extensive 

 insect depredations upon shade and forest trees have served to em- 

 phasize the practical importance of this field. The more recent 

 discoveries that malaria and yellow fever are transmitted by mos- 

 quitos, and that typhoid fever and other intestinal diseases may be 

 conveyed by house flies, has made the entomologist a most welcome 

 ally of the sanatorian. Furthermore, careful investigations of in- 

 jurious and dangerous insects have repeatedly demonstrated the 

 value of such studies as a necessary preliminary to practical con- 

 trol work on the farm or marsh, in the orchard or even about the 

 home. Prophylactic measures against yellow fever, malaria and ty- 

 phoid must depend in large measure upon an intimate knowledge of 

 the habits of certain insects and their part in the dissemination of 

 the dangerous germs. The study of injurious insects is by no means 

 completed. There is great need of investigations that can not be 

 adequately conducted with our present resources. The exhibit col- 

 lections should be strengthened by a series of well executed en- 

 larged models of the smaller, more injurious insects. Such a de- 

 parture would increase the practical and educational value of the 

 entomologic exhibits, particularly as the significance of some of 

 the more recent discoveries can not be adequately portrayed with- 

 out such aid. 



V 



REPORT ON THE ZOOLOGY SECTION 



The present Zoologist did not enter upon his duties until the 

 1st of February last, and considerable time was necessarily devoted 

 to becoming acquainted with the material at present in the museum 

 and with its most urgent needs. 



