MR. EMBLBTON'8 ADDRESS. l7l 



a much worse form, and extending over the length and 

 breadth of the land. Its cause, nature, and treatment have 

 hitherto baffled all the talents that have been employed in 

 its investigation. From the season, the entomologist has 

 met with many of our rarer insects. In my own locality, to 

 which my observations have been entirely confined, some 

 have appeared in considerable numbers, which have hitherto 

 been only very rarely seen, whilst many of the most common 

 have been in diminished numbers, or not seen at all. Eight 

 specimens of the caterpillar of the Death's-Head Moth, and 

 one of the perfect insect, have been taken in this neighbour- 

 hood. Five specimens of the Convolvulus Moth, and several 

 caterpillars of the Privet Moth, have been also captured ; 

 Acrid ium migratorum has been several times observed, and 

 one lived with me for nearly a month. Amongst the more 

 common Lepidoptera, the Admiral and the Painted Lady 

 have appeared in immense numbers ; but not a single speci- 

 men has been observed of the Peacock, Wood Lady, Wall 

 Brown, or the Dark Green Aglaia, which in previous years I 

 have often met with. The common Tortoise-shell Butterfly 

 has not been nearly so plentiful as it generally is ; but the 

 Small Copper again made its appearance in a locality from 

 which I had missed it for the last four years. 



Such observations as these, if confined to one individual 

 or to one locality, are but of little value ; but if each member 

 would take the trouble to mark down the most common and 

 simple facts that come under his notice, a mass of informa- 

 tion might be obtained, which might materially influence 

 and advance the study of Natural History. In recording 

 such facts, the most common walk would be found to furnish 

 abundance of objects, and every time he would find some- 

 thing fresh to quicken his attention, and to recompense his 

 researches ; instruction becomes blended with amusement, 

 and happiness and contentment found where others would 



in vain search for it. 



« 



• " If thou art worn, and hard beset 



With sorrow, that thou would'st forget ; 



If thou would'st read a lesson that would keep 



Thy heart from fainting, and thy soul from sleep. 



Go to the woods and hills ! no tears 



Dim the sweet look that Nature wears." 



