Kent. 541 



there could be no difficulty or doubt in correctly applying the 

 names ; for example, there were Nemeobius Lucina, and 

 Melitae'« Dictynn^', and Cinxi^, all placed (and properly 

 enough) in juxtaposition, but without any distinctive separation 

 to denote them as being three different species; so that a per- 

 son litde conversant with insects, on viewing the collection, 

 might naturally suppose them to be the different sexes, or 

 varieties, of one and the same species. Among other less 

 common Papilionidae, I observed Apatur« Tri^, Lycae'n<2 dis- 

 par, and Pamphik Paniscus ; and, adjoining to Papilio Ma- 

 chaow, one example of Podaliriu5 (scarce swallow-tailed) 

 which I was informed had been presented to the museum as a 

 native specimen. If such it be (which, however, I very much 

 doubt), the date and place of its capture ought to be parti- 

 cularly noted. I know that there are grave and reverend 

 authorities for inserting this fine insect in the list of British 

 species ; but, unfortunately, when these come to be sifted and 

 investigated, their authenticity always appears to be involved 

 in not a little doubt and uncertainty. I apprehend that there 

 is hardly to be found at present, in any cabinet, a single well- 

 authenticated native specimen of PapiIio Podalirius; and that 

 its existence as a British insect is generally disbelieved by the 

 most competent judges. The collection of Phalae'nidae in the 

 Canterbury museum is much less extensive than that of the 

 Papilionidae ; and many of the common species are in equally 

 bad preservation. I would entreat the directors to throw 

 aside, among others, their wretched specimens of magpie 

 moths and garden tigers, along with those of Vaneh>sa Atalantar, 

 and Cynthia cardui, &c. &c., which are a disgrace to any 

 cabinet. It strikes me as being bad policy to exhibit such 

 examples, because they have a tendency to deter people from 

 contributing to the collection ; while a display of specimens in 

 good condition, and well kept, would have the opposite effect 

 of inducing them to contribute. Nobody cares to add to a 

 bad heap ; but every one would feel a pride in adding to that 

 which is already good. Such, at least, are my own feelings, 

 and, if I mistake not, those of many others. Should these 

 remarks appear severe, I can assure those whom they may 

 concern, that they have not been offered in a bad spirit ; so far 

 from it, that, if I had not at heart the welfare of such institu- 

 tions, I should not have been at the trouble to point out the 

 evils, and their remedies, as I have now done. 



Before I conclude, I have a word or two to offer on the 

 corresponding portion of the Synopsis of the Museum, p. 88. 

 to 91. This appears to be meagre, and sometimes incor- 

 rect, and the articles brought most prominently into notice not 



