VI PREFACE. 



" Indeed, as there are anglers who look only to the pot, so 

 there are a numerous set of collecting Entomologists, who 

 look only to the pocket, and have hardly a spark of true 

 love of science in their composition. This is a sad evil to 

 the systematic and writing Entomologist, who naturally wants 

 readers sufficient to remunerate his publishing outlay but 

 cannot obtain them. 



" Your Annual is a move in the right direction, but more 

 than this is required. Books on Entomology are far too 

 high in price for the many — I was almost going to say for 

 any ; and if the thousand collectors, that I estimate there 

 really exist in England, are to be reached, it must be through 

 such half-crown publications as yours, and not in expensive 

 volumes, which few indeed can obtain. I have always been 

 for extending knowledge as much as possible, and increasing 

 the numbers of students; but this can only be done by descend- 

 ing at first to the comprehension of the many, who only desire 

 amusement, and so inducing them to ascend the steep ascent 

 that conducts to the temple of science. Moderate priced 

 publications may do this, as well as monographs of different 

 families, brought out in a cheap way. How few are likely to 

 buy Westwood's book on the Lepidoptera ! but if there were 

 good, yet moderate priced volumes, that collectors might be 

 induced to buy, on British Butterflies— British Moths — 

 British Bees— British Coleoptera, or Coleopterous Families, 

 &c. &c, the study of scientific Entomology might be much 

 extended. However, it may be well first to ascertain the 

 present number of practical Entomologists, and then the 

 problem to solve is to convert them into readers" 



Another correspondent writes, " would it not be a good 

 plan to have a catalogue of collectors as well as insects. 



