42 THE entomologist's record. 



reform the nomenclature and give us a philosophy of the neuration ; 

 whilst I try to show the movements of the shifting nervures in the 

 butterflies, to use these movements in separating the older from the 

 younger types, to push the vehicle of classification along the road of 

 phylogeny. For the correctness of the theory some palteontological 

 evidence is then adduced by Rebel. So much may in parenthesis 

 illustrate the deepening in the methods of the lepidopterist's work. 

 As to the general view of nature he has been obliged to relinquish the 

 conception that his specimens are simply curios ; he now sees them 

 to be part of the sorry scheme — though as to whether this be really a 

 scheme and who is the schemer we be not resolved. The Pot, of 

 Hebrew, Greek or Persian origin, more openly resents his make, and 

 now looks angrily for the Potter — he must mend himself or destroy 

 the pattern. 



The century has brought improved means to the lepidopterist. 

 Microscopy and photography offer aid. The value of the latter 

 became clear to me m the seventies in picturing butterflies, though 

 my first attempts were scofl'ed at. Improved ways are now 

 generally utilised, and that photography will be more largely used by 

 the lepidopterist in the future can no longer be doubted. This art 

 has also influenced a philosophical view of the world. By proving 

 the existence of unseen light rays in the spectrum it has developed 

 the Baconian axiom that Nature excels the fineness of our senses and 

 understanding. Hegel, with his notion that Nature lags behind the 

 idea, declines. 



No retrospect of any branch can ignore Avhat in America we called 

 Practical Entomology. In the United States the effort reaches back 

 to Harris and beyond. It took more determinate form with the 

 founding of the I'ntctical Kntomnhxiist just before the war, when the 

 notion of appealing to the State for aid became general. Herein were 

 the entomologists practical — that they demanded pay for their services. 

 Although Baftbn's animal "Infusoria" and Schleiden's botanical 

 "Bausteine" be successfully identified with Schwann's " Cell," and 

 thus the way into the past be shown where man and the tree took 

 their parting, the dift'erences between plants and animals are obvious 

 to the beholder. To accomplish their life-processes, plants need the 

 warmth of the sun's rays, whereas animals radiate heat received 

 through their food. The plant stores up heat which is set free when 

 its cells are resolved in the stomach of the animal. Plants are 

 relatively stationary and, fortunately for them, have no central 

 consciousness, else could they perceive the pain which their mode of 

 growth evidently brings with it. They are not aware and make no 

 defence when attacked by caterpillars and worms. These not only 

 kill the plant buit destroy the profit also. This is the " rub " which 

 has set agricultural communities indignantly in motion. They asked 

 the advice of science and a body of men were found to give it when 

 paid for. The labourer is worthy of his hire. Still there are good 

 women to be found who give excellent entomological advice gratis. 

 The nineteenth century has set Practical Entomology on its feet, 

 America had need of all the help entomologists could give — as usual, 

 her worst enemies are imported from Europe. Those interested should 

 read the Rev. Dr. Bethune's paper on recent work in economic 

 entomology, both for the facts and their presentation. 



