248 FURTHER HINTS TO YOUNG ENTOMOLOGISTS. 



The student would derive much advantage, in this respect, from placing before 

 him ten or a dozen species of insects very closely resembling each other ; such, 

 for instance, as those composing the genus Harpalus £or Amara~\ (B.-etles of 

 easy acquisition, and which any entomological friend will point out to him), and 

 then endeavouring to find out and define in writing, in what manner each species 

 may be characterised, Occasional exercises of this sort will soon give him a 

 keenness of perception, and a tact for discriminating, which he will be long in 

 acquiring by other means."* 



I have already recommended (p. 19) to beginners the use of the Linnaean 

 system. It is necessary that, before proceeding further, the student should have 

 a general knowledge of classification. For this purpose he may, at the nset, 

 arrange his specimens under the Linrsean genera, paying no attention to the 

 specific names, In order to do this, the characters of the Linnsean orders and 

 genera must be well studied, and compared seriatim with the insects possessed. 

 An acquaintance with some of the types of the most extensive divisions of 

 modern systems will thus be obtained, and the study of them afterwards much 

 facilitated. When he is tolerably acquainted with the outlines of the Linnoean, 

 he may proceed to the modern arrangement. In this he will find much greater 

 complexity. Before arriving at the species, orders, tribes, families, sub-families, 

 genera, and in some instances sub-genera, must be passed through. How- 

 ever difficult the, attainment of a knowledge of these numerous divisions may 

 appear, it will be found in the end a very useful auxiliary. Let the student take 

 any insect. By a comparison of its structure with the characters annexed to 

 each of the orders, he will be able to determine to which it belongs. The tribes 

 contained in the order selected, must next in like manner be proceeded with # 

 Then the families in the tribes, and so on, until the descriptions of the species 

 are arrived at. Lastly, the points in each description must be carefully compared 

 with the specimen, and the species to which it. belongs determined. At the com- 

 mencement this course will be attended with considerable trouble ; but each 

 succeeding investigation will render the difficulty less. By assiduity and per- 

 severance the student may obtain, in this manner, a perfect acquaintance with, 

 and acute perception of, the structure, &c, of the insects that fall under his 

 notice ; together with a sound and extensive knowledge of classification, in all 

 its ramifications. 



The system which is adopted must of course be followed in arranging the 

 specimens in the cabinet. '• The modern practice, which is far the best," says 

 Samouelle, "is to arrange insects in columns, with the generic name fastened by 

 a pin above, and the specific below them Males and females should be- 



• Ibid, pp. 305—307, 



