ON COMMENCING A COLLECTION OP LEPIDOPTERA. 251 



trouble, any one desirous to do so, may at least readily distinguish and 

 name his specimens. Among others, ''Morris's British Butterflies," ''British 

 Moths and their Transformations," two, volumes, by J. 0. "Westwood, etc. 



For the above reasons, then, I venture to forward to "The Naturalist" 

 the following simple directions as a guide to the Entomologist in his first 

 essays in that pursuit, hoping, short and imperfect as they are, that they 

 may, nevertheless, induce some to carry the despised net, and fill their 

 chloroform bottles with many a "scarce article," The old proverb is "first 

 catch your fish, then cook him," first learn how to take a fly, then 

 to set and name it. As I intend to confine my observation simply to 

 this ABC of entomology, I shall give such directions only as are absolutely 

 necessary (and no more) for carrying on the pursuit as an amusement, 

 and leave time and inclination, (which to many I hope may not be wanting,.) 

 to complete the good work. 



In the old "Naturalist," edited by N. Wood, Esq., vol. iii, page 81, I 

 find that Mr. Dale, of Glanville's Wootton, in Dorsetshire, has an article 

 on this very subject, headed "Hints to Young Naturalists," but his list 

 of instruments for securing his prey are so numerous that they in fact 

 require a horse to carry them; and even then, in spite of many a coat 

 pocket, I do not see how he can find room for the vasculura or sandwich 

 box and whisky flask, which he considers indispensable. However, all this 

 belongs more to the professional naturalist, out upon a long tour from home, 

 than to the youngster who intends to hunt only his own flower-garden, or 

 at most visit the neighbouring wood. 



The question is, then. How do you catch, name, and preserve these 

 Flies? Now, there are many plans adopted, but I think that the following 

 directions will be found the ojost simple and effective for all common pur- 

 poses. First, that you may be enabled to name your specimens, you 

 must supply yourself with some works on Entomology, with good coloured 

 plates of each species, in addition to having an accurate description — I 

 before mentioned Westwood and Morris — (N.B. the edition of Westwood 

 published in 1818 is far superior as regards the colouring of the plates, to 

 the one published in 1854.) I know that many persons object to works 

 with plates, as tending to produce carelessness in research; but remember, 

 I only lay stress upon plates in this case — in order, if I may so express 

 myself, to make the sap rise; I look for the return — the leaf and fruit — 

 hereafter. To arrange your specimens properly, spend two shillings and 

 sixpence, and purchase "H. Doubleday's Synonymic List of British Lepi- 

 doptera." This may be left for an amusement on a wet or winter's day. 



But I have put the cart before the horse — 1 have named and classed 

 my fly but have not caught it. The common way of taking the Papilio- 

 nidcB, and those Moths that fly early in the evening, is with a net made 



