NOTES, CAPTURES, ETC. 49 



by number, an arrangement which answers well enough in certain 

 cases. There is still, however, room for improvement, and 

 an3'one who can introduce a plan curtailing the immense labour 

 involved in conducting an active correspondence and exchange 

 will deserve well of his brethren. We must all agree with 

 Mr. Eaynor in his remarks upon the great value of time. 

 To the student, the true worker, time is more than money or 

 anything else besides, and it is from a deep conviction of this 

 important truth that I am unable to subscribe to the following 

 sentiment : — " In the good old days, when ' exchanging ' specimens 

 first began, it was comparatively common to see a notice from 

 some prominent collector, offering certain species to be given 

 away to those who would send box and return postage. How 

 rare is such a display' of generosity now-a-days!" Quite so! 

 perhaps we are wiser in our generation. The advocates of such 

 promiscuous generosity should give it a full trial. I apprehend 

 there would be little dii3Eiculty in disposing of a few " Apatura 

 iris,'" or any other good thing on those terms. But who is to 

 benefit by the transaction ? — to receive the product of our most 

 precious time ? Not our old and valued correspondents, but 

 " beginners and outsiders," we are told. Surely beginners want 

 no encouragement. For them all is novelty and excitement. If 

 they are made of the right stuff they will come to the front in 

 spite of difficulties and disappointments ; if they are not, no 

 encouragement will raise them above respectable mediocrity, and 

 of these we always have enough. For " outsiders " and dabblers 

 I entertain the heartiest contempt. Their knowledge of our 

 science is of the most superficial and elementary character, for 

 which, in itself, they are not to be condemned, but they make no 

 advance ; they have attained maturity. Year after year they 

 pursue the same attractive species, which are often hunted to 

 death. Eupithecia is neglected ; Cramhus ignored, and Scoparia 

 unknown. What care they for the wonders of Bucculatrix, the 

 beauties of Nepticula, or the marvels of adaptation exhibited by 

 the endless Coleophovce ? Is not Dominula still to be had ? And 

 what a fine picture it makes with the " marbled white " for a 

 border ! Of these people we have more than enough. Let them 

 go their way. I will not encourage them ; but the tried corres- 

 pondent — the genuine naturalist — is welcome to all I have. — 

 Geo. Coveedale ; 24, Fleming Eoad, Lorrimore Square, S.E. 



ENTOM.— FEB., 1885. H 



