Mar., 1915.] 
Entomological Work in Ohio. 
459 
there has been felt a constant want in every town, village, hamlet, 
and farmhouse of a better knowledge of the surrounding objects 
of nature. In every district school questions are constantly 
arising, inspired by the natural curiosity of the child, which the 
teacher has not been able to answer, from the want of means of 
information in regard to the animals and plants of the State. 
An interest in nature is almost universal, and its development 
wholesome and happifying. Hence, the destribution of documents 
that will enable every one to learn the character and history of 
the objects that surround him, will prove not only a gratification 
but a benefit to a great multitude. All this for the educational 
influence of such reports. Their bearing upon the practical life 
of our people is not less real, since a knowledge of the habits of 
the animals that contribute to the support of man, the birds of 
the air, the beasts of the field, the fishes of the water, will be of 
great service as a guide in all efforts to increase the productiveness 
of these sources of aliment.” 
This volume of the Geological Survey included only reports 
upon the vertebrate animals but calls attention to the intention 
that reports upon the lower animals would be forth-coming 
in later volumes. This expectation was not realized and altho 
the desirability of a Biological Survey was recognized and urged 
at various times no systematic work in this connection was under¬ 
taken. The many contributions in this line came thru the work 
of the Experiment Station and from individuals, members of the 
Ohio Academy of Science or entirely independent workers. Re¬ 
cently, however, and as result of efforts of the State Academy of 
Science, a Biological Survey has been inaugurated in the Univer¬ 
sity with the co-operation of a number of Ohio Institutions, and it is 
hoped that means will be available to push forward the studies on 
the state fauna and flora. Naturally some part of these must be 
entomological and, since the reports of the Geological Survey 
and a number of earlier papers have dealt especially with verte¬ 
brates, it will be but natural that the groups of insects will be 
treated as opportunity offers. From the great number of species 
and the prominence of the group it must result that considerable 
time and co-operation of a large number of workers will be neces¬ 
sary to make such a study in any degree complete. A Bulletin 
on the Syrphidas of Ohio has already been issued and work upon 
Orthoptera, Spiders, Odonata, Coccidas, Hemiptera and some 
other groups is in contemplation or under way. 
CO-OPERATIVE EFFORTS. 
The recent steps toward unifying Entomological work are so 
freshly in mind that a brief statement only seems necessary to 
indicate the present status. With the organization of the Agricul¬ 
tural Commission there seemed to be an opportunity for a co- 
