146 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



had at once a history with each insect. I used to think these 

 little pieces of paper useless, and wondered what one wanted 

 more than the insect, and systematically — I am ashamed to own 

 — took them off before putting the insects in my cabinet. In 

 time, however, I began to find that a series was not everything, 

 and that a man, to be an entomologist, wanted something more 

 than a fine collection, and that he might be a first-class 

 entomologist, with a miserable collection — in the generally- 

 accepted sense of the word. I soon wished that I had left these 

 labels, and that all my correspondents would follow the example 

 of these gentlemen. However, I began by labelling my own 

 captures and those I received ; and since then have gradually 

 cast out of my collection all those specimens about which I knew 

 nothing. I found, however, at the very commencement a most 

 serious difficulty, and the difiiculty is greatest with our London 

 lepidopterists. Asking for information, I was treated to courteous 

 explanations as to the ground being private, &c., and leading in 

 every case to the undoubted conclusion that I wanted the 

 knowledge for poaching purposes. This was annoying, but, as I 

 am probably rather pachydermatous, I persevered, and eventually 

 got the desired information ; this difficulty vanishing in a short 

 time, the facts being now most courteously given, when there is 

 no doubt about the purpose for which they are required. But 

 still it was a difficulty at first, and one which had to be overcome. 

 I have frequently had pointed out to me that there is real danger 

 in allowing exact localities to be known. Personally, I consider 

 the danger more imaginary than real. In doubtful cases, i. e., 

 where one has an idea that a correspondent will make unfair use 

 of the information, there are two roads open : the first is to refuse 

 point-blank, and tell your correspondent why ; the second is to 

 tell an approximate locality, from which, if he is a real student, 

 he may gather the exact geological formation of the district and 

 any local peculiarities, but in this case it is of the utmost 

 necessity not to mislead. North Kent, for instance, is vague ; 

 but there are few London lepidopterists who do not know the 

 exact spot North Kent generally means. I must say that I 

 should prefer to refuse point-blank, than adopt the more round- 

 about and probably misleading method. 



I should like to insist on the necessity of entomologists who 

 give or exchange insects adding a note, whether the information 



