37 
for illustration indicated, tlie necessity for subsequent identification of 
many of his figures from the figures themselves would havebeen'obvia- 
ted. Some figures, particularly moths, have never been identified and 
are not named upon the plates. It is, of course, recalled that he figured 
many loaned specimens, particularly upon his later plates ; these also 
should have been indicated in every case, although any doubtful iden- 
tification, as they were received from specialists, is hardly a probability. 
I am at a loss to account for his lack of system and want of care in 
so important a matter, when he showed such nicety, and such delicacy 
of manipulation in the preparation of his bird collections, unless it 
came from his belief, frequently expressed, that figures were as good as 
originals, and far more easily cared for. 
When it was proposed to establish an insect cabinet in connection 
with the museum of the Department of Agriculture, examples of the 
latest and most improved cases in use at Cambridge for this purpose 
were obtained and brought to Mr. Glover’s notice. It was a peculiarity 
of his nature that he took slowly to “new-fangled notions;” and partly 
considering the expense, he decided that shallow pine drawers with 
loose glass covers were good enough. He was prejudiced against cork 
bottoms, though the use of cork was strongly urged, and finally com- 
promised on paper felt. As the sequel proved, the splitting and shrink- 
ing of the cases and drawers in the dry steam heat of the Department 
building altered his views materially, but only when it was too late to 
remedy the matter. 
In the letter previously quoted Mr. Glover states that his work will 
be finished in three years. The time had expired a year previous to 
his again entering the service of the Government, but I do not think 
even at that time that the work was any nearer completion, as regards 
his own ideas upon the subject than when he bad been working four 
months. It is evident from the very manner in which he worked that 
he had placed no definite limit to it. He conceived the scheme, and 
seemingly without having measured the magnitude of the undertaking, 
he went industriously to work to- carry it out. As the end proved, 
“ completion ” in this case meant when there were no more insects to 
figure, for with no fixed limit it could have been carried on indefinitely. 
Mr. Glover became Entomologist of the Department of Agriculture 
April 1, 1863. It was then located in the basement of the Patent Office 
building. In time two rooms were secured for the purpose of a mu- 
seum, and in the corner of one of these the Entomologist finally estab 
lished his office. This was in the summer of 1864. A letter to Baron 
Osten-Sacken, written in October, 1864, in reply to one from this spe- 
cialist, shows that his work was now temporarily interrupted. He 
says : 
* * * I have been so much engaged for the last year in the Department of Agri- 
culture, with office work and laying the foundation for an agricultural museum, that 
