IX 



bees, waterflies, also locusts oi- grasshoppers, ants, fireflies, or in short any kind except cockroaches, 

 centipes, or scorpions, which in general are so very common they cease to be valuable — of all the other 

 kinds there is an infinite variety, differing in size, shape, and colour, any of which will be very acceptable, 

 either large or small ; and of which, give me leave to observe, the most ugly disagreeable insects (as they 

 appear to be) are the most desirable. They are found in various places, some on flowers, some in 

 horse-duncf or cow-dvmg, some under stones and logs of wood, some under the bark of trees where it 

 separates or divides itself from the body, which by tearing up will expose many kinds to view ; but no 

 place abounds more than rotten trees, for there they hide and secrete themselves in holes among the 

 rotten wood, and are never seen unless they are searched for. Let me here observe, that the different 

 seasons will yield different species of insects, some being to be found in one week that were not to be 

 seen the prececUng ones, and the next will afford others dlff'ering from the former, while the succeeding 

 one shall produce some other sorts that were not to be seen before ; so that by searching for them 

 at different times, you perceive great varieties will be collected. 1 must also beg you to preserve the 

 horns of them as much as possible, as they in a great measure determine their genus, and as such 

 should not be broke off". The insects placed in the box will serve as samples to shew the person you 

 may hire what kinds of things are meant to be collected, who for want of them might not be able to 

 understand your instructions. 



I have now, Sir, mentioned every article necessary to be known, therefore shall conclude with once 

 more begging you to assist me in this scheme ; and if there is any business, or any other thing, in which 

 I can be serviceable to you here, I beg you would command me ; but if there is nothing of that kind 

 by which I can express my gratitude, permit me again to repeat I shall take the first opportunity of 

 making a return fully adequate to your favour. 



I am. Sir, with great respect, your most obedient servant, 



D. Drury, 

 At No. 1. in Love Lane, Aldermanbury, 

 London. 



P. S. I forgot to mention that when you employ an agent to collect insects, please to tell him it is 

 not the great number but the variety that I desire, six or eight being enough of any one species. 



Subsequently, this fine collection came to the hammer, on Thursday, May 23, 1805, 

 and the two following days. A few of the more interesting lots, with the prices obtained 

 for them, and the names of the purchasers, are given below as an interesting record. 



Lot 3 Phalaena Aprilina, Graminis, and ti'J others '26 £7 12 



8 Sphinx Convolvuli, and 8 others 9 4 



46 Papilio Priamus 1 4 



64 Claviger, and 5 others 6 7 



69 A variety of curious Spiders, chiefly from Georgia 110 4 



90 Papilio Iris, Edusa, Hyale, and various 4 



94 Sixteen curious Curculiones 16 11 



95 Scarabseus Goliathus, var 1 1"2 



100 Cerambyx Gigas, and 2 others '3 4 



104 Thirteen Species of the Buprestis Genus 13 8 



105 Elater Flabellicornis, virens, and 8 others 10 4 



I b 



