BRITISH LEPIDOPTERA. 113 



As arguments have usually two sides, we will now consider 

 the other part of this question, viz., the more extended study b}' 

 British entomologists of the whole Paleearctic fauna, of which 

 that of our islands only forms a part. That this more extended 

 study is desirable no one can for a moment deny, and it is even 

 probable that most English entomologists tvill extend their 

 observations to other localities than our own country, as they 

 require other worlds to conquei*. Then will the " European " 

 collection increase in value just at the same rate as our British, 

 when there is a market demand for identified specimens required. 

 So far from the dealers being shorn of their profits, they will still 

 have rare insects, and even more valuable local forms, to sell. 

 Now — as the intending student of the Lepidoptera of the Palae- 

 arctic region will soon find — certain insects from Siberia or the 

 Amoor command in Paris or Berlin quite as high a price as do 

 any British species in London. Again, it is possible at the 

 present time to obtain for British local forms, or exclusively 

 British species, a higher price in the first-named cities than in 

 our own well-known sale-room near Covent Garden. 



It seems to be an uncharitable fashion amongst some people 

 to sneer at " the dealers," while they forget what we owe to those 

 who have made it their business and pleasure to visit corners of 

 this country, which would require the whole of some people's 

 annual holiday to reach and return, without even unfolding the 

 net. How then could we expect to know many local forms recently 

 introduced to us, but for the energy of "dealers?" That there 

 are unprincipled dealers in moths is to be expected, as much as 

 in any other article, but it is for the buyer to use his own judgment 

 as in everything else. I suppose there are still people who intend 

 to make collections and study certain branches of Entomolog}^ 

 entirely by their own industrious efforts ; but if a man really 

 means to know his subject, he will soon find that his own limited 

 collection is of little use without the aid of excliange, or purchase, 

 to obtain the subjects for comparison. 



What I have written will by some be probably considered 

 neither more nor less than heresy, but after all, what is the 

 Entomology of our best entomologists than a mere system of 

 observation, description, and naming of our insects ? Who has 

 systematically worked the comparative embryology and probable 

 derivation of our species of insects ? Why should Acronycta 



