PREFACE. 



" The Entomologist's Annual" now for the first time 

 appears in that developed form in which our mind's-eye 

 had clothed it from the first. 



It now contains papers purely scientific, and others prin- 

 cipally of an amusing nature, and by this mixture it attains 

 its maximum of usefulness ; it will be read by thousands 

 who are no Entomologists — may it not exercise such an in- 

 fluence on some of these, that before two years have elapsed 

 they may find themselves enumerated in our " List of 

 British Entomologists ?" 



It continues cheap, because it still seeks to extend its cir- 

 culation among the working collectors, and to those who are 

 not habitual book-buyers, the price of a book is a very im- 

 portant consideration. 



The following extract from a communication by Mr. 

 Thomas Edward to the " Banffshire Journal" of February 

 14th, 1854, confirms our view of the necessity of diffusing a 

 knowledge of Natural History amongst labouring men en- 

 gaged in out-door occupations. 



" I am fully persuaded in my own mind, from what I 

 know, that if our gamekeepers, gardeners and farm-servants, 

 and others whose out-of-door occupations bring them in con- 

 stant contact, as it were, with the works of Creation, would 



«2 



