LINNEAN SOCIETY OF LOXDOX. Ixxvii 



much upon their being indubitably and unmistakably British. 

 A specimen caught in Kent which would fetch £2 would not be 

 worth 2 shillings if caught in Normandy. I satirized this practice 

 several years since in the * Entomologist's Weekly Intelligencer ' (vol. 

 V. and 1858, articles * Jeddo ' and ' Insularity ') ; but it is yet far 

 from extinct." 



Perfectly concurring in Mr. Stainton's observations in the last 

 paragraph, I would however add that there are purposes for which 

 a local or geographical collection distinct from the general one may 

 be of great use ; and such a collection would be much impaired by 

 the introduction of stray foreign specimens. In a local museum, a 

 separate room devoted exclusively to the productions of the locality 

 is very instructive with reference to the history of that locality ; and 

 I have seen several such spoiled by the admission of exotic speci- 

 mens, giving the visitor false impressions which it takes time to 

 remove. But it is never from such an exclusive collection that the 

 faima or flora of the district can be satisfactorily worked out, 

 or that any branch of zoology or botany can be successfully taught. 



Mr. Stainton adds, " It has been suggested to me that those who 

 have critically studied the distinctions between closely allied species 

 have rarely .the time to work out in addition their geographical 

 range, and that those who might work up the latter subject might 

 fail in their good intentions for want of a proper knowledge of 

 species." Upon this I would observe that, in the due appreciation 

 of a species (of its limits and connexions), its geographical range and 

 the various forms it assumes in different parts of its area are an 

 essential element ; and it appears to me that the neglect of this and 

 other general characters is one reason why many able naturalists, 

 who have devoted their lives to the critical distinction of races of 

 the lowest grades unduly raised to the rank of species, have really 

 contributed so little to any science but that of sorting and naming 

 collections. On the other hand, the study of geographical range 

 without a proper knowledge of species is little more than pure 

 speculation. Division of labour carried too far tends to narrow 

 the mind, and rather to delay than to advance the healthy progress 

 of science. 



Mr. Stainton informs me that " there has just appeared a Mono- 

 graph of the Ephemeridse, by the Rev. A. E. Eaton (Trans. Entom. 

 See. 1871), treating of these insects throughout the globe ; and when 

 any species are noticed which occur in this country, their entire 

 geographical range is noticed. It is altogether a valuable paper, on 

 account of the thoroughness with which it seems to be done." 



