Jules Künckel d'Herculais (1843-1918), entomologist,... - Lot 31 - Conan Belleville Hôtel d'Ainay

Jules Künckel d'Herculais (1843-1918), entomologist, member of the Museum (successor to Alphonse Milne-Edwards). He went to Argentina for 5 years to study locusts. 2 L.A.S. to the zoologist Edmond Perrier (1844-1921), director of the Museum. Cruise ship La Plata, La Coruña and Buenos-Ayres. 10 April 20 May 1898. 8 pp. in-8. A letter on the letterhead of the Oficina Nacional de Agricultura. On his mission to Argentina to study locusts. Jules Künckel d'Herculais is charged with studying locust invasions and organising their destruction. To this end, he went to Argentina in 1898, where he created a laboratory of entomology applied to agriculture. He tried to see it before he left, and visited the Institute but without success. "I am leaving, but I am sure that you will not forget me and that you will always be there to remind me of the scholars; if there are some who did not want me to be their peer at the Museum, there are others who do not blush to consider me as a colleague. I leave full of courage and faith; and I hope that luck will favor me. It seems to me that I shall reap a harvest of observations and discoveries; but in any case, I shall enlarge my field of study, broaden my mind and gather valuable elements of comparison; neither science nor I shall lose out. This will be the best revenge for my detractors.... "When he arrived in Buenos Ayres, he immediately set to work. He relates his journey and his reception in Argentina, the way he is received and considered by Argentine scientists. "Everything was prepared to receive me: newly furnished office with desk, sofa, armchairs, chairs, library, work room with water, gas and electricity; a small salon to receive visitors, all furnished with carpets (pelletine in the small salon). All this has a comfortable air.