174 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



must strike deeply at the root of all searching and thorough 

 scientific investigation. The evil we allude to is the 

 collector, a so-called naturalist ! whose only aim seems 

 to be the rapid extermination of any rare species by taking 

 as many as possible of a good thing, be it in the shape of 

 ovum, larva, or imago, utterly oblivious to those who may 

 come after him, and, of even greater importance, entirely 

 careless as to the habits, the manner of life, and relation to 

 their surroundings of the insects he so ruthlessly removes. 

 To the advancement of science he contributes nothing, and 

 concerning its study he cares still less. 



That the study of entomology can be levelled to that 

 of a trade is much to be regretted, and indeed one is almost 

 tempted, not from selfish motives, to keep any desirable and 

 little known localities to oneself and our particular friends, 

 in order that we may at least aid in the preservation and 

 protection of the insects contained therein. 



We all know that collecting is to a great extent a 

 necessity, and when kept within decent bounds becomes 

 a delightful and instructive pastime ; but he that would 

 derive all the enjoyment from one of the most enthralling 

 of pursuits, must combine with it the careful investigation 

 and minute study of all, from ova to the perfect insects. 

 I cannot do better than quote the words of the late 

 Rev. J. G. Wood where he says, " The habits of insects are 

 very mines of interesting knowledge, and it is impossible 

 carefully to watch the proceedings of any insect, however 

 insignificant, without feeling that no writer of fiction ever 

 invented a drama of such absorbing interest as is acted daily 

 before our eyes, though to indifferent spectators. Thus 

 even in the mere structure of insects there is more than 

 enough material for the study of a lifetime." 



It is to the scientific and thorough entomologist, then, 

 that these few notes of the neighbourhood of Lochinver, such 

 as they be, are written, with a view that he may at some future 

 season spend as pleasant and profitable a time there as did 

 the writer. 



The village of Lochinver, in the parish of Assynt, lies on 

 the sea, about forty-nine miles by road from Lairg. 



The geological formation is of a type usually found in 



