OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 41 



names of the highest reputation ; and at home to a Ray, 

 a Lister, a Derham, a Marsham, a Curtis, a Clark, a 

 Roxburgh, &c. But I do not wish to conceal that 

 though a large proportion of entomologists direct their 

 views much further than to the mere nomenclature of 

 their science, there exists a great number, probably the 

 majority, to whom the objection will strictly apply. Now 

 I contend, and shall next endeavour to prove, that en- 

 tomologists of this description are devoting their time to 

 a most valuable end ; and are conferring upon society a 

 benefit incalculably greater than that derived from the 

 labours of many of those who assume the privilege of 

 despising their pursuit. 



Even in favour of the mere butterfly-hunter — he who 

 has no higher aim than that of collecting a picture of 

 Lepidoptera, and is attached to insects solely by their 

 beauty or singularity, it would not be difficult to say 

 much. Can it be necessary to declaim on the superi- 

 ority of a people amongst whom intellectual pleasures, 

 however trifling, are preferred to mere animal gratifica- 

 tions ? Is it a thing to be lamented that some of the 

 Spitalfields vveavers occupy their leisure hours in search- 

 ing for the Adonis butterfly {Polyommatus Adonis), and 

 others of the more splendid Lepidoptera^, instead of 

 spending them in playing at skittles or in an alehouse? 

 Or is there in truth any thing more to be wished than 

 that the cutlers of Sheffield were accustomed thus to em- 

 ploy their Saint Mondays ; and to recreate themselves 

 after a hard day's work, by breathing the pure air of 

 their surrounding hills, while in search of this " untaxed 



" Ilawortli Lcjiid, Ihil. 44. 57. 



