NEW BRITISH SPECIES, ETC., IN 1872. 21 



self possessed of sufficient special knowledge to do more tban 

 record results in my own branch : my " views," such as they 

 were, have (as Mr. Lewis desires to know them, and as is 

 indeed tolerably evident from my remarks in Ent. Ann. 1864 

 quoted by him) been hitherto inclined somewhat to the 

 cowardly scheme now proposed by Mr. Lewis, of avoiding 

 present trouble by submission to error ; but, being compelled 

 to look steadily at the question, I have no hesitation in 

 giving my unqualiiied adherence to the rule of priority, 

 until it can be shown that there is one more equitable ; and I 

 cheerfully accept that rule with all its possible drawbacks, in 

 preference to supporting the attempt to found a new law, 

 based on no just principle, and under which, in my opinion, 

 as many errors are likely to be made as under its pre- 

 decessor. 



An attempt has been made by Mr. Lewis by circular to 

 enlist the support of (amongst others) mere collectors, wdio, 

 on such a point as the rational w^eighing of the question 

 of nomenclature, may without offence be termed the halt, 

 maimed and blind of Entomology. I add here a copy of 

 the reply (published in the "Athenaeum" of 13 July last. 

 No. 2333, p. o4) to one of these circulars made by Dr. 

 Gray:- 



" British Museum, July 4, 1872. 



" Sir, — I decline signing the paper you have sent me, 

 vv^hich is decidedly against all proper treatment to your pre- 

 decessors and against the jnst maxim, ' Do unto others as 

 you would be done unto.' It can only have been put forth 

 by mere butterfly collectors, wdio have had no proper scientific 

 training. 



" I am, sir, yours truly, 



" J. E. Gray." 



