WINTER MEETING, 1879. 39 



of philosophy. Yet the very foundation of this system is observation. It has 

 been said that Franklin would see more in crossing the English Channel than 

 most men would in making the entire circuit of the gloljc. IIow significant 

 this fact in consideration of Franklin's great and valualjle discoveries in sci- 

 ence ! Mayer, of Germany, noticed tlie rank growth of clover growing along 

 the pathway where the stone-cutters in the gypsum quarries passed daily to and 

 from their work. This observation gave to the world one of its most valuable 

 fertilizers. One of the most successful farmers and wheat-growers of Michi- 

 gan told me that in growing his pioneer crop of wheat he observed limited areas 

 all over the field where the wheat was much heavier. lie also obsei'ved that 

 each of these places was the site of a tree previously blown down by the wind, 

 which brought up the heavier sub-soil. lie then learned to plow deep. His 

 less thriving neighbors have lived by his side for forty years and have yet to 

 make this practical observation. How many of the intelligent pomologists of 

 Michigan have in their mind's eye an accurate photograph of a single one of 

 the thieving insects that are working so successfully to pilfer from them their 

 choice fruits? Who can doubt but that an accurate knowledge of these facts, 

 based, as it must be, on a quick and well-trained observation, would do much 

 to fortify our fruit growers against these pests of the garden and orchard? 



I hope in these papers, by explaining the requisites and methods necessary 

 for preparing insect cabinets, to induce some of those who read them to 

 engage in the pleasant and valuable pastime of making collections, or if not 

 that, of encouraging their children to do so. Such recreation will prove most 

 healthy and valuable for the young, and if practiced will raise up a body of 

 trained observers that will be able to do far more valuable work, as they take 

 our places as farmers and pomologists, than we have done. 



WHEN" AND WHERE TO COLLECT. 



The entomological collector need wait for no time or season. In winter and 

 at midnight, no less than in summer and at noon-day, his quest, if guided by 

 intelligence, is sure to be rewarded. Many beetles lie concealed in winter be- 

 neath leaves ; others, together with bugs, moths, chrysalids and eggs, quietly 

 wait under log, board, stone or rubbish for the warm springtime. Cocoons and 

 egg clusters hang pendant from branch and shrub, or are snugly hid away in 

 crevice and nook. In winter, too, we find leisure to study, label and arrange 

 the previous year's collections. In spring, from the earliest warmth, when 

 ** first the lone butterfly flits on the wing," when the streams are crowded with 

 the swift swimming larvae of the lace-wings or day-flies, and when the little 

 frail lace-wings even dart to and fro above the snow drifts, on to the steady 

 warmth of early summer, when air and sunshine are alive with insect life, we 

 revisit with greater success the places that rewarded our search in winter, and 

 further stroll along barren sand drifts, sweep with our nets the grass and 

 bushes along the meadow and roadside, jar bush and shrub above our open 

 umbrellas to capture the small but often rare and beautiful beetles, and the 

 rich and wondrously varied caterpillars and other larvae, attractive jorophecies 

 of still more attractive moths and butterflies. We visit the bright and sweetly- 

 scented flowers of gardens, fields aaid woodland — for insecta have an eye, and 

 a nose, too, for just such flowers — where we are sure to secure the brightest 

 gems of insect life. The resplendent moths and butterflies, and the glisten- 

 ing metallic beetles, bees, wasps and flies are sure to reward our visits to these. 



