Entomology, evolution, A^fD romance. 311 



than read, and many would have remained in the obscurity they 

 deserved, but for certain circumstances. 



The time for the natural history novel had come. The historical 

 novel, which was a very good thing in its way, gave some history and 

 plenty of " novel." Scott or Harrison Ainsworth would have shown 

 the way to reach the public with the natural history novel. ^•■' With 

 these authors, it is their treatment of the subject which charms 

 the reader. With the others, the facts only are interesting to 

 the average man ; the plot, so to speak, or the romantic portion, only 

 bores. However, certain men, miscalled theologians, attacked some 

 of the romance, which gave a wholly undeserved and extraneous value 

 to the same. In return, a friendly lead was given to parson-bating, 

 now a very popular thing, for some occult reason. Many scientists 

 gained a passing popularity at the expense of science (without a 

 capital letter), and people took sides on an absolutely false issue. 



Most of the books are really more controversial than educational, 

 and to be popular contain far too many facts, which in their authors' 

 opinion bolster up their preconceived notions and theories, which go 

 for little outside their own sects. The fun begins directly they are 

 taken seriously. The popular type of scientific book has yet to be 

 written. The nearest approach to the ideal was made by Mrs. Scott 

 Gatty, in her " Parables from Nature," written for children. What is 

 commended to your notice is the " Psychological climate " of her mind 

 when contemplating nature, and the choice of examples to accomplish 

 her ends. The Rev. J. G. Wood has been fairly successful, but most 

 of his books contain too much classification on the Morse code plan.f 



What is wanted is scientific romance, honestly published as such, 

 written by a master of the literary art, with natural history for his 

 stock in trade. Such an one would persuade the average man of 

 what we all know so well : the charm, the beauty and intense delight 

 of it all. Awaken his interest, and he will get facts for himself, and 

 be ready to supply them to societies like our own. When this is done 

 the area of investigation will be greatly enlarged, and sound classifica- 

 tion can be begun within one hundred years from that blessed time. 

 To sum up in one word, the only justification for an entomologist is a 

 moral one — that he shares his riches with his fellows. And this 

 brings me to my plea for a new departure. 



I want this society to extend the spirit of the objects set forth in 

 its rules, so that it may do something for the man in the street. That 

 we, and for that matter, all entomologists, should become educational- 

 ists as well. 



I have noticed among children that the cabinet charms to the extent 

 of a few drawers ; interest soon flags, only to be revived by an extra 

 showy specimen. They seldom ask to see the cabinet twice in one 

 visit. Show them a breeding-cage with larvas in any stage, and they 

 will watch them by the half-hour, return to them when other interests 

 fail, and always revisit the cage every morning to see how the larvte are 

 getting on. A living imago they will also watch. It is the same 

 with adults in their degree ; they always take interest in a breeding 

 cage when they won't look at a cabinet. 



* What would have been the value of such works considered as science? — Ed. 



t What advance on the present condition of knowledge would our contributor 

 expect from books of this description ? Does he not confuse the education of the 

 masses with the advance of knowledge ? — Ed. 



