30 THE entomologist's RECOUn. 



younger men so easily ; I fancy that such would make enquiry of me 

 before they bought them. All I would say to future workers concern- 

 ing the specimens from this collection is, *' If at any time you are posed 

 l)y apparent facts deduced from specimens obtained from Mr. Burney's 

 collection, and if such facts are contrary to conclusions that you would 

 otherwise have drawn, stick to your common-sense conclusions, and 

 suggest that the owners of the specimens should in the cause of Science, 

 place them in the fire at the earliest opjiortunity. 



This subject has long been before the public. Tn my jjosition as 

 Editor of this magazine, I have learned facts which have long since 

 carried me past the stage of disgust. During the last two months ma- 

 terial has l)een put into my hands concerning two men from Aberdeen, 

 that woTild keep them from imjjosing on entomologists for a long time 

 if one of the victims took proceedings against them. Our own note 

 at the head of the Exchange column explains itself, Imt whilst collectors 

 show so much anxiety to make up their collections at the ([uickcst 

 ]iossible rate, they must expect to get a lilteral education — and to pay 

 for it. Of course Science is not always the aim of those who advertise 

 in the Exchange column ; in the pages of the magazine these exchange 

 swindles have no place, and I only incidentally refer to the matter here, 

 as indirectly bearing on the swindling which distorts, distracts and 

 muddles our science. 



I would give something to know who sold the hcrhariatu and var. 

 glabra to Mr. Burney. Not a dozen men knew tliat I possessed 

 Coverdale's herhariata, iintil the Decemljer numl)er of the Bccord was 

 issued, so that evidently the originator of this con.]) knew me well. The 

 var. ijlahra is of a particular style of setting, which I Ijelieve I have 

 seen exhilnted at one of our London Entomological Societies. If so, it 

 should be traceable, and perhaps the near future will bring us some 

 further information. 



By Rev. G. M. A. HEWETT, M.A. 



All who Avander in the night will acknowledge the strange fascination 

 which holds them during that mystic season. It is not eas}', however, 

 to say exactly wherein lies the weird s])ell. Sometimes, as I am walk- 

 ing in a sunken, high-hedged lane, and the wind goes Availing over- 

 head, trailing along tlic ]ialf-visil)le cloud-drift, I can almost see the 

 s})irits of the air, and long to comprehend the strange songs tliat they 

 sing as they fly. From the unknown tliey come, and to the unknown 

 they sweep away, and wliat is it to them if a longing wiinderer sees 

 their trailing garments and listens t(i their music as they pass. So 

 different are they too, and so manifold the feelings that they evoke. 

 To-night you will see a strong spirit, who calls on 3-ou to be up and 

 away with him, to shout aloud and lift up your voice mightil}^ in unison 

 with his. He has the strong face of a man, so far as 3'ou may beliold 

 it. One alone is he and he rules the whole expanse of sky. On 

 another night numl)ers will not count them ; the air is full of them, 

 and every song that you have ever heard makes a strange patch-work 

 of melody in your brain ; on some evenings they sing of hope and 

 much possibility of living and doing, and on other evenings of despair, 



