32 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



gradually transmuted Alope into Nephele it is difficult to conjecture. It 

 could not here be the presence or absence of enemies which has affected 

 one or other form. And if it is climatic, what can there be in common 

 between the climate of Canada and Illinois which encourages Nephele 

 and extinguishes Alope ? 



In a second paper I shall speak of Pegala and the Pacific species of 

 this eenus. 



ENTOMOLOGY FOR BEGINNERS. 



BY JAMES FLETCHER, OTTAWA, ONT. 



Entomology seems to be gradually throwing off the veil of contempt 

 under which it has been so Ion? hidden. The Botanist has alwavs to a 

 certain extent been deemed a philosopher from the important part plants 

 play in Pharmacy ; the Geologist and Mineralogist, too, from the possi- 

 bility of their discovering precious metals have been treated by the outside 

 unscientific world as sages worthy of some respect. Entomologists, how- 

 ever, have not thus been honored by the masses. The question would be 

 asked — What tangible results can come from collecting flies and bugs and 

 sticking -pins through them ? and in vain the amount of damage done 

 by insects year by year might be estimated and pointed out. This state 

 of affairs though I believe is now at an end. The claims of the science 

 on all agriculturists and horticulturists are daily becoming more apparent. 

 The institution of the United States Entomological Commission, and the 

 success that has attended that organization from the happy choice of such 

 men as Messrs. C. V. Riley and A. S. Packard as directors, has perhaps 

 done more than anything else to open people's eyes to the fact that after 

 all there is something in Entomology. In Canada, too, much good work 

 has been done. In 1868 two Entomological magazines were started, our 

 own important organ, the Canadian Entomologist, in August, for 

 Ontario ; and Le Naturaliste Canadien, edited by the Abbe Provancher, in 

 December, for Quebec ; to these is chiefly due the progress the science 

 has made in Canada. The Editors of the Canadian Entomologist — - 

 Rev. C. J. S. Bethune (1868-1^73), and since that time our present 



