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HYMENOPTERA. 



Notes on the Capture of Rare Species in 1858, 

 with some Observations on their Economy, &c. 



By Frederick Smith. 



Being again requested to contribute our annual record of 

 captures, observations and discoveries, it occurs to us that 

 the Annual of the Entomologist is, to the best of our know- 

 ledge, the last of a once numerous and flourishing race. 

 We well remember the publication of the first Annual, its 

 novelty, its great success, and consequently the host of 

 competing Souvenirs which soon appeared, dividing public 

 favour ; one appealed to the artistic taste, another to the 

 taste poetic, there were also others of a graver character, 

 whilst poor Tom's annual volume of cheerful and innocent 

 mirth, brought joy and gladness to many a winter's hearth 

 and home; all these have passed away, and the Entomo- 

 logist's Annual is the last of the race. It is true that it bears 

 little resemblance to its predecessors, its size and annual 

 appearance being the only characters which unite it to the 

 genre. 



The Annual makes its fifth appearance, increasing in 

 health and vigour with each succeeding year, and showing 

 every promise of living many years to come ; but whilst 

 penning these observations we must not forget the scientific 

 character of the work, which precludes on our part any 



