gr = CE = = a 1 == LE EE 
k oo k n m kod he BEN 
E o AI ED en = tale 
E idan adn Ko ÎI, 
HA IRE es = 
= E ESE O E —, — = 
îi a ap iti e E RE ZA EME LE RT 
PREFATORY REMARKS. 
No literary work is more distasteful to me than contro- 
versy, especially when there is a personal element. To 
repeat my own words, quoted by Dr. Riley, ‘‘I want facts 
and ideas, I do not care who publishes;’’ therefore, it really 
was, and is a matter of but little moment to me who first 
published a description of the larva Platypsyllus and dem- 
onstrated its coleopterous nature. Had Dr. Riley done the 
work I would have read it with great interest, and would 
have rejoiced that Dr. LeConte’s opinion, which I accepted 
and worked to prove, had been confirmed by another. But 
having done this myself I demand like treatment by others. 
In publishing my reply to Dr. Riley privately I wish to 
express my disapproval of the use of the pages of scientific 
periodicals for the ventilation of personal grievances to the 
exclusion of more useful matter. 
“The following pages give a history of the whole matter 
as succintly told as possible, leaving to those who read it, 
to read between the lines what I think at this time unneces- 
sary to put in print. 

