284 [December, 



ticket stjle. For the prevention of over-collecting locally, he suggested the drawing 

 up of regulations by a committee. With regard to rare species on public ground, 

 the only remedy was for all Societies to combine and insist on stopping it, at least as 

 far as their own Members, any Member infringing should be called upon to resign. 

 Finally, he summed up the remedies as follows : — (1) Educating the collector ; (2) 

 Protecting local species by local Societies getting land owners to refuse passes ; (3) 

 Closing the ground altogether for all collecting, as in the case of Arion and a few 

 others ; (4) For all Societies to combine to stop over-collecting. In conclusion, he 

 urged the importance of all endeavouring to stop any over-collecting they might 

 come across, and trying to instil into the younger Members, that there was a higher 

 end than the mere amassing of specimens, and to discourage long series of rarities. 

 The Chairman said he had no doubt all present were in sympathy with the objects 

 of the paper, and as it was of such importance, he hoped it would be fully discussed. 

 Mr. W. J. Kaye, F.E.S., agreed that every possible step ought to be taken. Stopping 

 the passes should have a good effect. He thought all entomologists should 

 discountenance over-collecting in every form, and agreed with Mr. Bouskell most 

 cordially. Mr. Q-. B. Dixon endorsed the author's opinion as to selling ; he thought 

 that as long as things were for sale there would be buyers. He could not believe in 

 bad seasons being to blame ; could we blame the seasons in the case of the Bison or the 

 Elephant ? In the case of C. dispar he happened to know Yaxley Fen, and could 

 safely say it had not altered substantially in the last 100 years. He quite agreed as 

 to the remedies. One other point he would urge was, not taking insects unless in 

 good condition. All Societies should act as protectors in their own districts, and, if 

 necessary, publish a black list. The formation of Societies over the whole country 

 should be encouraged, and all collectors should join such Societies. Rev. C. T. 

 Cruttweil, M.A., was of opinion that legislation at present was out of the question, 

 though one day we shall awake to mourn the loss of all our most beautiful insects, and 

 perhaps public opinion would then be stirred, but then it would be too late. He 

 knew of no better deterrent than true culture. Mr. H. St. J. Donisthorpe, F.Z.S., 

 F.E.S., said in the way of a remedy it was most difficult to suggest anything 

 practical. If all took the matter up and by their attitude endeavoured to shame 

 the avaricious collector (which would be difficult), and in the case of known over- 

 collectors, to refuse to exchange, buy, or accept from such would spoil their market 

 and tend to lessen the evil. Mr. E. S. Pink agreed that something should be done 

 quickly. The Societies should discourage the purchase of British rarities. With a 

 view to stopping the evil, some provision to that end might be made a condition of 

 membership. Mr. W. H. Scott thought the stopping of passes the most effectual 

 remedy suggested. Mr. C. B. Headley, F.E.S., fully agreed with the paper. He 

 thought that by appointing a Committee and protecting our local species, we should 

 be putting a strong spoke in the wheel against over-collecting. He remembered 

 seeing 300 pupae of Papilio Machaon last year, at Wicken, which had been collected 

 by one woman, which showed the need for local protection. Mr. T. B. Pateman 

 agreed with the author and could not understand any one seriously putting forward 

 the weather and other reasons for extermination. Was the wolf exterminated here 

 by bad seasons ? Where would the fox be now but for protection .'' Could the Red 

 Indian and the Australian Aborigines be said to have vanished through bad seasons ? 

 He maintained man, white man, was responsible just as the over-collector was in 



