252 



The Scottish Naturalist. 



on this most engaging study, it would be embodied in this pro- 

 position, for which I would claim the position of an axiom, that 

 the most attractive insect to him is the one of which the least is 

 known. I would recommend him first to acquaint himself with 

 all that has already been accomplished in that particular branch 

 of enquiry to which he is disposed to incline, and then instead 

 of procuring store-boxes and cabinet, to provide himself with a 

 note book and a microscope, and lastly — to parody the advice 

 Demosthenes gave to the aspirant to oratoric fame — I would bid 

 him in the first place, Observe ! in the second place, Observe ! 

 and in the third, Observe ! 



Thus, instead of amusing himself by gathering together so 

 many different objects, and verifying (if he took so much 

 trouble) what others have found out for him concerning them, 

 he would pursue the far nobler task of finding out for himself 

 and for others what was previously unknown, and so, by add- 

 ing, in however small a degree, to the sum of human knowledge 

 would have made successfully the highest effort of which human 

 energy is capable. 



The study of insects presents to the beginner many varied fields 

 of research almost all equally replete with interest, and the natural 

 taste of the student will for the most part lead him to that one 

 for which his capabilities and opportunities best fit him. As a 

 country field-naturalist, I am disposed to give pre-eminence to 

 a painstaking investigation of the life-histories of insects. It is 

 on this, as Dr. Laboulbene insists in his admirable address to 

 the Entomological Society of France, that all entomology is 

 based, and to one whose lines are cast in the pleasant places 

 of a country life, it is at the same time the one most suited. 



Tastes differ, however, and the allurements of microscopic 

 research will induce many to turn rather to the no less impor- 

 tant subjects of Insect Anatomy, Embryology, and Morphology. 

 A microscope of more than sufficient power, is now within the 

 means of almost every one, and the student cannot fail to find it 

 of infinite use to him, let his leanings be what they may. It is, 

 by its means, too, that the philosophic enquirer must make those 

 observations which enable him to trace the relationship of one 

 being to another and to the whole, and to read those secrets of 

 Nature which are hid in these lowly organisms. 



The description of new species, the correct classification of 



