The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1906-05-31
RICH MOTH COLLECTION.
Is Presented to the National Muse
nm af Warrington.

Is Presented to the National Muse
um at Washington.
The national museum at Washing
ton has received from William Schaus,
of Twickenham, England, formerly of
New York, collection Of over 10000
specimens of South and Central Ameri-
can moths, representing the work of
over twenty years, and valued at
100000 Mr.. Schaus has been for
years an enthusiast on the subject of
Entomology, devoting particular atten-
ton to moths. He is man of wealth,
the son Of an old New York merchant,
and up to fifteen years ago made his
home in the American metropolis, but,
finding the facilities for studying in
sect and moth life better in London,
where he could daily visit the wonder
full collections in the British museum
he changed his residence, and since
1890 has resided at Twickenham, En-
gland. The collection. which has only
lately reached the museum, Is stored In
a series of strong pasteboard box es,
running from floor to ceiling, and &C.
cupying all the space not in actual use
the office Of w. III. Ashmeade, cura-
tor of entomology. They will remain
there until new series of mahogany
cases or drawers or stands are built
for their reception, says the Philadel-
phia Ledger.
The collection will not be placed on
haf
light causes the colors and markings
of the wings and bodies of the speci-
mems to fade, but will be kept in the
strong lightproof cases now being
made for the collection, in the working
rooms of the section of entomology,
where they will be at all times at the
disposal of students Of such subjects.
The museum officials are highly elat-
ed over the acquisition of this impor-
tant collection. and in speaking of the
matter to Washington Post reporte.
ID. w. Coquillett. assistant curator OF
entomology, said:
1--WE regard the magnificent gift OF
Mr.. Schaus as the most complete and
important collection of South Ameri
can moths in the world. The collec-
ton also contains very large mum
Der of North American forms also. Mr.
chaus has been busy making this col
person to South America, undertaking
explorations in quest Of rare forms,
and. at other times, buying them from
natives and fellow collectors. Here
tofore the National museum had no col
lection of South American moths
worthy of the name, but with the ac'
ouisition of the Schaus collection we
are now in the font rank, possessing
the most complete set Of South Ameri
can moths in the world"
A considerable number OF the moths
are absolutely new to science and from
out-of-the-way localities OF South
America seldom visited by white men
as. for example, the interior of Peru
and Bolivia. the Maroni river, French
Guiana, the Amazon and Orinoco val
leys and the Gran Chaco forest Mr.
Schaus has lately published work de
scribing this collection, which has been
reprinted for free distribution by the
National Museum.
Mr.. Schaus passed some time recent
" In Washington. visiting the muse
um and various private collections, be
fore departing for Mexico City, to start
from that point on a horseback jour
ney and collecting tour through the
Central American States, Colombia and
Ecuador. He will be absent several
years. Mr.. Schaus finds his greatesl
pleasure in the investigation Of sclen
tific problems, especially those dea Ing
with The subject Of insect life.