271' EXCHANGING INSECTS. 



jollectors is tnat of bad setting, which renders it necessary to relax the 

 specimens, a process which frequently spoils, and generally takes off that 

 freshness and bloom so much prized in the cabinet. 



On this point we shall next month give an admirable paper, by the 

 Eev. J. Greene, by studying which every one may insure good setting. 



In the second place we think that with the insects sent, there ought 

 to be always a list of names, and where possible, a little history of the 

 locality and ceconomy of each insect. Such information is always acceptable, 

 and tends much to diffuse a general knowledge of Entomology. 



Thirdly, we need hardly say that every person ought to keep good faith 

 with his correspondent. We do not think that a breach of faith is fre- 

 quently wilful. Young collectors are often ignorant of the relative value 

 of an exchange, and such persons ought to wait until they are more advanced, 

 and can better make a return for the specimens sent them. We are not 

 among those who think that the duplicates of a hard-working collector are 

 to be sent to every one who may assert the claim of being a brother 

 Entomologist. Putting aside the injustice of asking a person, who has 

 toiled hard, often day and night for perhaps weeks, to give up his rare 

 specie3 to the first person who asks him, we think such a system, if in 

 existence, would make the incipient rely upon others rather than upon his 

 own exertions, and thus by producing idleness, obstruct the progress of 

 Entomology. We therefore think that in all exchanges a quid pro quo is 

 not only reasonable but just. 



Fourthly, those who exchange insects ought always to write to each 

 other with courtesy and gentlemanly feeling. Science is a "humanizer," 

 and a "civilizer" of the mind. Though a republic, it is a republic of 

 gentlemen, and mild, kind, friendly, and courteous language is the medium 

 of communication between the members of such a fraternity. 



We think that all letters which are sent in answer to a notice in any 

 publication, ought to be answered either directly, or as soon as possible 

 by another notice in the same journal. The omission of this courtesy is, 

 we are afraid, not unfrequent. 



Fifthly, we think that all collectors who have duplicates which they 

 cannot or do not wish to exchange, ought to send them to those who want 

 them, the recipient in such a case paying the return postage. 



Such are some of the rules which we think ought to guide those who 

 wish to increase their collections and knowledge by exchanging through the 

 post office; and though it does not come within the scope of this Journal 

 to insert lists of duplicates and desiderata, which is of the less consequence 

 so long as the "Intelligencer" is in existence, yet we shall always have 

 great pleasure in promoting the friendly exchange of insects among our 

 brother Entomologists, knowing as we do, from experience, the pleasure it 



