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FURTHER HINTS TO YOUNG ENTOMOLOGISTS. 



Observation. — Collection, and Arrangement of Specimens. 

 By Peter Rylands, Esq. 



The essay of Mr. Lees on the "cob-web popularity" of Natural History 

 (p. 115) deserves every attention, and I trust that it will excite a discussion on 

 the question, which will in the end insure a substantial popularity for the science. 

 Much, in the attainment of this object, may be effected by zoological and 

 botanical Magazines. These ought not to be entirely devoted to abstruse, and 

 to the student uninteresting, because unintelligible, articles. Papers ought to be 

 inserted expressly for the benefit of those commencing the study of science. It 

 is no argument against this to say that introductory works are plentiful, and 

 easy to be procured. Many who would with pleasure peruse elementary articles 

 in a periodical, would hesitate, or feel it a task, to read through a volume. And 

 the fact is so obvious that it need not be dwelt upon, that he who learns with 

 avidity and interest, will learn far better and far more than he who shrinks 

 from the means which are used to instruct him. The student requires initiating 

 by degrees, and this can be effected the best by short instructive articles in 

 Magazines. I am pleased, therefore, that such are to be found in The Naturalist. 

 To those which have already been inserted for the entomological student, the 

 following will furnish a continuation. 



On entering his career, the entomologist must seek information from three 

 sources — books, observation, and the collection of specimens. The first of these 

 has already been adverted to (p. 19), and I shall therefore pass to the considera- 

 tion of the second. 



No one has a claim to be considered as a true naturalist who is content with 

 book-learning alone. Although much useful information may be gleaned by an 

 assiduous perusal of publications, observation ought never to be neglected. 

 Diligent reading will do much for the student — diligent observation will do 

 more. Both are important — both necessary. The desire to investigate Nature 

 should be stimulated as much as possible, as in it consist some of the most plea- 

 sant enjoyments of the naturalist. Huber selected as a motto to his work 

 " Cherchez, et vous trouverez," and its truth, in this peculiar application, his 

 admirable and highly interesting Recherckes sur les Fourmis, fully manifests. 

 This work constitutes a monument of indefatigable research, and persevering 

 observation which will always insure its author a high place amongst genuine 

 naturalists. Let all the readers of this paper choose the same motto, and ex- 

 emplify it as Huber did, and the most important benefits both to themselves and 

 the science would be the result. No fact should be taken for granted the in- 



