New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-07
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL
THE EDWARDS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TION

To the Editor OF Ihe rlpuh
Sir: word about a great scientific treasure
which understood TO be for sale may not De on, OF
place In your columns. always open for INC ao'o'a''
Of what is good for NewYork.
The collection Of insects formed by the 'a'e nery
Edwards, the distinguished actor who was also
scientist. consists Of about 100000 specimens Oh MI
orders and from all parts OF the globe In all thee
about 10000 different kinds The butternies ana
moths hepdoptera and the beetles tcoieop'era) 10TH
the bulk of the collection The hepidoptera are rep
resented in large numbers Of individuals ana i0s
series from all parts OF the world especially Austfana.
Newzealand, South America and the Pacific Coast OF
North America Mr.. Edwards described and named
large number Of species from this country ana
all his types about $50 in number, are In the conec-
ton. II also contains the many types OF various other
wellknown entOmologsts.
The family Of aegendae, clear winged moths. Is
well represented and Is considered OF the best in
the world. AS far the North American species arc
concerned, II Is the best and finest In existence ONT
OF the 40 species which found In America abont
1O4 in this collection, and these are mostly all
types. By the word "types' II should be understood
that these are specimens from which the original
description Of these species has been made. When
an Insect is discovered and II is found to be I'M
known to science description made OF the and
q name Is given to II and the specimen Is marked
type on the label with its name. A typical col
lection is highly priced by all Students the types
and the original descriptions OF the sDecies form the
basis for the future study OF entomology.
The Edwards collection in this respect Is
considered by authorities in the science one
Of the best in existence and It is Of the largest
private collections in the world.
THIS scientific treasure occupies two large rooms
In the former residence Of Mr. Edwards. No. 1856 East
one hundred andsixteenthst. and 1t Is stored and
ranged In different kinds OF cabinets and shelves
tanning about 1900 boxes Of various Sizes There Is
no collection of insects now In market that would DO
more suitable for museum than this one. and 5ecaise
CT Its great educational value II should be carefully
preserved and placed that 1T may be readily
oessbe to all interested In the study and welfare of
chronological science. Besides the valuable types
mentioned above. the collection also contains manv
other unique oddities and rartie. In the different
orders OF insects, such the beetles tcoeoptora;
Mes ldiptera) bugs (hemiptera); dragon flies now
roptera) grassheppers, (orthopteral, and bees and
wasps lhymenopen). All are valuable.
Mr.. Edwards began forming this vast collection
about thirty years ago. He spent much money and
all his leisure hours for its increase His travels In
various parts OF the world afforded him many oppor-
tunties for ennchIng his collection with choice and
rare specimens, hardly obtalnable under other cir
adjunct to the collection OF insects contains about
800 volumes and about 200 pamphlets. many of
which ase autograph copies, presented by their au-
thors. The library also includes several volumes Of
chronological cOrrespondence-Mr. Edwards having
been In constant correspondence with many well known
to New York II this remarkable and valuable collection
were allowed to 60 away from the city.
FRIEND OF SCIENCE.
New-Yorb Now 3, 1891.