INVESTIGATION OF INSECTS. 569 
mological studies by turning over figures usually end 
them there, and never attain to that nameless tact in 
making out insects that can only be the result of patient 
stud}\ Indeed figures, though often vei*y useful, and 
sometimes indispensable, can scarcely ever exhibit those 
nice characters, particularly as to sculpture, that distin- 
guish some insects. Our modern artists, indeed, are re- 
medying this defect of the art, by giving in many cases 
the thorax or elytrum apart, with all its sculptural pecu- 
liarities: but this is not, and cannot be, done so as to re- 
present every one. But though in general figures should 
be your last resort, I know not whether an exception to 
the rule may not be advisable with respect to the Lepi- 
doptera, which are more difficult to be intelligibly de- 
scribed than any other order of insects ; while a good 
figure exhibits to the eye all those markings and shades, 
that scarcely any description can place clearly before the 
mind. 
When every attempt to investigate the name of your 
unknown species fails, and you have consequently reason 
to believe that it is undescribed, the best mode you can 
pursue for retaining that knowledge of its characters, 
which from your long investigation you must have ac- 
quired, is to note them down in your entomological 
journal, inserting it under its proper genus with a trivial 
name of your own. Such a journal you will find almost 
a sine qua non for containing a catalogue of your insects, 
and to register any observations concerning individuals 
you may have had an opportunity of making. With 
regard to this journal, I should recommend to you to 
get two blank books. One a duodecimo of 200 or 300 
pages, to contain the mere catalogue of your insects, 
