JANUARY. 5 



with impunity, as it is impossible for them to become 

 saturated with stagnant water, owing to the bottom 

 drainage, and the moss at the top prevents undue eva- 

 poration by absorbing a certain quantity of moisture, 

 and thus striking a medium between the two extremes 

 of wet and drought." 



Having provided himself with the foregoing, toge- 

 ther with a ring-net, as described in the " Entomolo- 

 gist's Companion," 2nd edition, page 3, and a supply 

 of pill-boxes and pins, the tyro is ready to commence 

 his Entomological campaign. 



And, now, gentle reader, let us take a ramble toge- 

 ther; let us walk in the open country, explore the 

 weedy bank, or peer with curious eyes along the old 

 park-palings' green and mossy space, examining each 

 nook and cranny with minute attention, and having 

 reached the end, retrace our steps for fear some portion 

 might have escaped our scrutiny ; let us examine the 

 twisted leaf, the roll'd-up grass blade, or dig deep into 

 the centre of some ancient gate-post or antiquated 

 paling, for in all these lie concealed the objects of our 

 search. 



It is a fine clear morning ; the sky is brightly blue 

 and studded with fleecy clouds, that look like a flock 

 of sheep as they gambol along chasing each other 

 before the breeze. The milkmen with their shining 

 cans are hurrying about in desperate confusion, calling 

 out " below" at every few paces, as if they expected to 

 fall over some unfortunate pedestrian, and were anxious 

 to give him timely notice of their coming — the peripa- 

 tetic coffee-shops are going home, some on wheels, 

 others on yokes, and all looking remarkably sleepy 



