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Abstract

IF we might be permitted to propose another title for this book, we would suggest that of “An Essay towards a Monograph of North American Aphides.” But we fancy such a title would be too much opposed to that borne on the cover. We fear the Report is too profound to be of service to agriculturists and horticulturists, otherwise than on the same grounds that an intelligent mother of a family is enabled, from the study of a medical dictionary (intended for the use of the profesion only), to diagnose the symptoms of measles, croup, and other ills that infantine humanity is heir to. We might make the same objection to the titles of a multitude of American scientific publications. The axiom that “the end justifies the means” scarcely needs being called into requisition in a notice of this Report; yet some uncertainty exists in our mind as to the end aimed at. Does it consist in enabling unscientific, but intelligent, farmers and horticulturists to identify their plant-lice foes? or is it intended as a prominent contribution towards a knowledge of these insects, to be made use of by scientific workers principally? We do not attempt to solve the problem, but prefer to regard the Report more especially in the last-named light.

Noxious and Beneficial Insects of the State of Illinois. Third Annual Report.

By Cyrus Thomas, State Entomologist. Pp. 1–212. 8vo. (Springfield, 1879)