Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-14

Twenty-Five Thousand Dollara' worth
Of Insects Given 60 the National Mn.
scum.

DR.. G. v. Riley, entomologist Of the Depart
ment OF Agriculture and honorary curator OF
iasecis in the National Museum, has donated
to the National Museum his extensive
private collection of North American insects,
representing the fruits of his iabors in collect
ing and study for over twenty-five years. His
collection contains over 10000 species, repre-
sented by over Il 900 pinned specimens and
much additional material, preserved In alcohol
or by other methods.
1t is estimated by those familiar with the col
lection to have money value OF at least
museums would have been glad to have it. In
addition TO the actual cost of material Ii Is hard
to estimate the amount OF mind and labor that
such collection represents In acknow lodging
the donation, Prot. Baird expresses his
warmest appreciation Tor this most gei,-
erous gift, and his assurance that both
liable means of study for all entomoloeists.
DIR. RILEY's PURPOSES.
DIR. Riley in his letter to Prof. Baird, making
the donation says "Having had the ambition
ever since my residence in Washington. to be,
so far possible, instrumental in forming a
national collection of insects, and beiiev-
an excellent nucleus around which
l hereby formally turn over TO you. for the use
of the U. $. National museum, and to become
Its property an my insect collections now de-
always intended taking So soon there
should be established paid assistant
curatorship of insects in the museum. I
ervation that in case of my removal from
Washington. l retain the privilege. during
lite. of Withdraw ing the purely biological
material. While the future of amy institution
dependent on Congressional support may not
be as certain AS one supported by endowment,
l make this donation, in the firm belief and
full confidence that the National museum is
already SO well established in public
grow until it shall rival and ultimately surpasS
other institutions in the country or I'm the world
As a repository of natural history collections.
If this action shall in the
future result in concentrating. here at the
national capital the extensive chronological
material which naturally comes here and
which IN the past has been scattered among
specialists IN all parts OF the country so that in
the future the student may find valuable mate
rial to further his work in any order, | shall
feel amply rewarded for the action taken.'
HOW THE COLLECTION Is ARRANGED.
The specimens in DR.. Riley's collection are all
duly classified and labelled and in excellent or
der ami preservation. The labels include notes
as to locality and food habit and are
also In many cases numbered to
correspond to detailed notes as to adolescent
states and habits. The collection, which was
begun twenty-five years ago, when DIR. Riley
was boy, represents his continuous collectings
since, including his own types and those of
many other authors received in exchange.
1t embraces few excite species, and is more par
tcuiarly rich in biological material. containing
more blown and alcoholic larvae and puepae ia
connection with their images than perhaps
any other collection OF North American insects.
A portion of the chronological collection in
The possession OF the museum. which has been
vastly enriched by the donation made by DIR.
Riley. is being rapidly arranged for exhibit,
ana soon section of one of the halls in the
museum Will be given up to most Interesting
exhibition representing insect life.