TH !•: ( AXA 1 >] AN ENTOMOLOGIST. 33 



tion. Occasionally one may meet a tyro who can discriminate insect 

 forms, and possess that peculiar acuteness so essential to the study of 

 Entomology ; but still he has sad defects, that is, clumsiness in the prepa- 

 ration of his specimens, and want of method. Now, this should be 

 avoided, and the first determination of a young collector who wishes to be 

 successful must be neatness in mounting his specimens, with a zealous 

 regard for the preservation of his cabinet. In order to carry out this deter- 

 mination satisfactorily, the first great requisite is patience, the second is 

 quickness ; but independently of this quality, 1 contend that patience is 

 the chief gift to make a successful Entomologist. Without it, he cannot 

 grasp an abstruse subject, for being too hasty, his brain wanders to isolated 

 points, magnif/ing them, to the exclusion of other more important ones, 

 whereas he should watch patiently, and record facts as they gradually come 

 before him."'" 



It is little use attempting a collection of insects unless the proper appli- 

 ances are at hand to procure and secure the specimens. A proper col- 

 lecting box should always accompany the net, and delicacy of handling- 

 insects (especially Lepidoptera) practiced in the field. Neatness in 

 arrangement is a home work, but the great secret of having line specimens 

 is in the care taken in first handling. To help the memory, a note book 

 should be carried in the pocket, wherein to record descriptions of the 

 insects taken in his rambles. He will find these notes of great value 

 afterwards, especially when he becomes an advanced student. I have 

 found a held note book indispensible, and would recommend every young 

 collector to take notes of his captures. 



1 would also suggest to our intelligent agricultural friends that such 

 note books are highly valuable, should they take the trouble to notice and 

 record such facts as are every season occurring on their farms. Correctly 

 noted books of this description, coming from the hands of intelligent farm- 

 ers, would be of immense service to Entomology, and would no doubt 

 lead to discoveries which are at present hid in obscurity. Mr. Stainton 

 says : " An agriculturist, knowing nothing of Entomology, thinks that if he 

 is annoyed by some new 'varmin' he has only to apply to some professor 

 of Pmtomology to be at once told the best way to get rid of his foe ; but 

 this is not the best mode to go to work. Those enterprising agriculturists 



* " In orderto keep the mind free from prejudice or one-sided views, it is necessary to 

 examine and judge for one's self ; we are very apt to conclude that because another says a 

 thing is so, it nust be so ; it may be so. we grant, but look and judge for yourself ; perhaps 

 vun will had it very different from what yon expected."— Stainton. 



