44 OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 



But to proceed to the defence of systematic entomo- 

 logists. — These may be divided into two great classes : 

 the first comprising those who confine themselves to 

 ascertaining the names of the insects they collect ; the 

 second, those who, in addition, publish descriptions of 

 new species; new arrangements of intricate genera; 

 or extrications of entangled synonyms; and who, in 

 other respects, actively contribute to the perfection of 

 the system. 



Now with regard to the first class, setting aside what 

 may be urged in behalf of the study of insects consi- 

 dered as the work of the Creator, it is easy to show 

 that, even with such restricted view^s, their pursuit is 

 as commendable, and as useful both to themselves and 

 the community, as many of those on which we look 

 with the greatest respect. To say the least in their fa- 

 vour, they amuse themselves innocently, which is quite 

 as much as can be urged for persons who recreate their 

 leisure hours with music, painting, or desultory read- 

 ing. They furnish themselves with an unfailing pro- 

 vision of that " grand panacea for the tcedium vUcb''' — 

 employment — no unimportant acquisition when even 

 Gray was forced to exclaim, with reference to the ne- 

 cessity of " always having something going forward" 

 towards the enjoyment of life, " Happy they w ho can 

 create a rose-tree or erect a honey-suckle ; that can 

 watch the brood of a hen, or see a fleet of their own 

 ducklings launch into the water''!" and like the pre- 

 ceding class, they collect valuable materials for the use 

 of more active labourers, being thus at least upon a par 

 with the majority of book-collectors and antiquaries. 



" Letter to Dr. Wharton. Mason's Life of Gray, p. 287. 



