124 THE FLORIST. 



the section, let any varieties which it is wished to especially recom- 

 mend be referred to by their numbers. If this were done, names 

 would be of little consequence for business or ornamental purposes. 

 Each man may re-christen his own plants, if he be so inclined, pro- 

 vided he is correct in describing them. As it is, the same name will 

 not always bring the same plant from two nurseries ; and a mere list 

 of names is useless to all but those who are already acquainted with 

 the plants. In the hope of drawing attention to what is every year 

 becoming more necessary, I have sent you these hasty remarks. 



NoMiNis Umbra. 



THE STUDY OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



Horticulture is a pursuit which, perhaps more than any other, 

 is dependent upon related sciences. It cannot stand alone. Hence 

 a good gardener must know something of almost every thing. It is 

 said now that he must be a botanist, a chemist, a geologist, a physio- 

 logist, and I know not what beside. And if he would be first-rate 

 in his profession, all this is indisputably true. An acquaintance 

 with natural history too is held to be an advantage ; and there is one 

 branch of this science which assuredly demands his most careful 

 attention, I allude to entomology. Insects enter as much almost into 

 the gardener's plans and calculations as plants, and it seems only 

 reasonable that he should know something about them. Their 

 operations are among the hostile influences on which he must always 

 reckon, and which in many cases completely disarrange his plans 

 and thwart his purposes. To know an enemy and his tactics is half 

 a victory over him. The work of the gardener is a continual war- 

 fare, and his success must obviously very much depend on his 

 acquaintance with the foes he has to deal with. Yet how few think 

 entomology deserving of any attention ! To be sure, they know an 

 insect when they see it; at least they would think their powers of 

 observation fearfully maligned if told to the contrary. But never- 

 theless they continually give proof of their ignorance when they 

 place, as frequently they do, slugs, worms, and snails in the general 

 category of insects, although they have no more claim to the appella- 

 tion than themselves. This is often done by persons who consider 

 themselves well-educated, and in most respects are so ; but certainly 

 it is not quite the thing for a well-educated gardener. 



The study of entomology is a most attractive one. In no de- 

 partment of nature's works do we trace more exquisite beauty, 

 more delicate organisation and perfect contrivance than in the insect 

 world. Those proofs of design and illustrations of Divine workman- 

 ship which we are accustomed to admire in the planetary worlds 

 that roll above our heads, are fully equalled in cogency and brilliancy 

 by the elytra of a beetle or the delicate antennae of some more 

 tiny insect. Like botany, and other branches of natural science, 

 entomology is particularly adapted to those who are incapacitated 



