It had been a horrible week for Henry. An entomologist
(insect scientist) at the local university, he was up for a
promotion this year. With the promotion would come
tenure. But there was a problem. It was not that he
couldn't teach. His Biology 210 classes were always
packed, and two years ago he was honored by the
undergraduates by being named their favorite teacher.
No, his problem was with his research. He hadn't had a
successful research project in several years. The last paper
that he'd published was three years ago. In an age of
"Publish or Perish," this was not a good situation,
particularly for a non-tenured professor.
The week started with a shock. He received notice that his
research grants would not be renewed for the coming year.
And, if that was not enough, the dean called him into his
office to tell him his contract would not be renewed unless
he had a paper accepted for publication by a major
entomology journal before the end of the school year.
Depressed, he left the University as soon as his morning
lecture was over so that he could work in his garden. In the
past, this had always had been effective in relieving
tension. But to his chagrin, he found most of his roses were
dying. On closer examination found they were infested with a
parasite.
But what were these insects? They appeared to belong to the
order Anapleura. That was strange. Anapleura infected
mammals, not plants.
He examined them more closely. Small. Wingless. Definitely a
species of Pediculosis, but one he had never seen before.
He gathered up several specimens and rushed to his lab, full
of new vigor. He examined the insects in detail and rapidly
wrote an article describing this new species of insect.
Well, I'm sure you know the result. The article was
immediately accepted by the American Journal of Entomology.
His job was saved and he received his most coveted tenure.
And, he received a new major grant to study this new
species.
You could say he had discovered a new lice on leaf.
HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!!
