A Forgotten (I.D.) text of N.A. Insects
Jan 21, 2019 8:11:39 GMT
nomad, Adam Cotton, and 2 more like this
Post by trehopr1 on Jan 21, 2019 8:11:39 GMT
I have a soft spot for a good book. Naturally, insect books are what I appreciate
most and reference sources featuring insects are the best. At the turn of the last
century a renowned lepidopterist named William Jacob Holland published the 1st
of it's kind reference guide to the Butterflies of North America (1898). It was really
more of a textbook than just a guide to the butterflies.
A scant 5 years later he would publish the Moth Book (1903). Both of these works
would go on to be the standard identification means used by enthusiasts for the next
50 or more years. There simply was not anything produced for a great many years
which would be comparable or all encompassing as his works.
Which is why I feel the need to "bring to light" another much lesser known and
probably long forgotten reference work done by another Entomologist who was
associated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
In 1922 Dr. Leland O. Howard published his reference text: The Insect Book.
His textbook basically highlighted all of the North American insect (orders) exclusive
of Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. His textbook would detail each order with a write-up
(description); followed by plates of species representatives pertaining to each order.
The textbook has many numerous plates contained within. About 1/2 are indeed in color
whilst the other half are in black/white (probably to save on printing costs). The plates
are photographed well so the specimens generally show well. On the adjoining page a
thin sheet of rice paper or velum has the printed species name with a corresponding number
highlighted under each specimen on the plate.
I would say that he probably chose species which he felt most enthusiasts might "most likely"
encounter in their sorted field forays. He used specimens for his plates which were from the
National collections. The soon to be named Smithsonian...
Below, is a photo of his grand work.
I myself did not know of the existence of this fine reference work until I discovered a copy
of it in my High school library circa. Sept. 1974. Having discovered it, I found it very helpful
in identifying quite a few things to genus and species which up to that point could only know
to family at best !
I have never seen or known of another work quite like this on North American insects. I still
believe it is a work which is still to be appreciated. Modern enthusiasts would still find species
identifications possible (even if the genus name has changed). Again, you won't find everything
in there because it is common or "most likely to be encountered" species which are shown.
So, if you are a true "dyed in the wool" enthusiast like me and you long to get some names
on those undetermined species you may have ; then scout out a copy of this long, forgotten
reference and you might be surprised what you may find inside !
Remember, just because a book is old does not mean it is useless.
most and reference sources featuring insects are the best. At the turn of the last
century a renowned lepidopterist named William Jacob Holland published the 1st
of it's kind reference guide to the Butterflies of North America (1898). It was really
more of a textbook than just a guide to the butterflies.
A scant 5 years later he would publish the Moth Book (1903). Both of these works
would go on to be the standard identification means used by enthusiasts for the next
50 or more years. There simply was not anything produced for a great many years
which would be comparable or all encompassing as his works.
Which is why I feel the need to "bring to light" another much lesser known and
probably long forgotten reference work done by another Entomologist who was
associated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
In 1922 Dr. Leland O. Howard published his reference text: The Insect Book.
His textbook basically highlighted all of the North American insect (orders) exclusive
of Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. His textbook would detail each order with a write-up
(description); followed by plates of species representatives pertaining to each order.
The textbook has many numerous plates contained within. About 1/2 are indeed in color
whilst the other half are in black/white (probably to save on printing costs). The plates
are photographed well so the specimens generally show well. On the adjoining page a
thin sheet of rice paper or velum has the printed species name with a corresponding number
highlighted under each specimen on the plate.
I would say that he probably chose species which he felt most enthusiasts might "most likely"
encounter in their sorted field forays. He used specimens for his plates which were from the
National collections. The soon to be named Smithsonian...
Below, is a photo of his grand work.
I myself did not know of the existence of this fine reference work until I discovered a copy
of it in my High school library circa. Sept. 1974. Having discovered it, I found it very helpful
in identifying quite a few things to genus and species which up to that point could only know
to family at best !
I have never seen or known of another work quite like this on North American insects. I still
believe it is a work which is still to be appreciated. Modern enthusiasts would still find species
identifications possible (even if the genus name has changed). Again, you won't find everything
in there because it is common or "most likely to be encountered" species which are shown.
So, if you are a true "dyed in the wool" enthusiast like me and you long to get some names
on those undetermined species you may have ; then scout out a copy of this long, forgotten
reference and you might be surprised what you may find inside !
Remember, just because a book is old does not mean it is useless.