10 
which is generally designated by that expressive word “bug” is not 
an enemy to be executed at once without a trial. It cannot but be a matter 
of considerable surprise to any person who turns his attention to the study of 
entomology to find to what an extent, comparatively speaking, that branch of 
natural science is neglected by scientific men, for, notwithstanding the large sums 
of money devoted yearly by wise governments towards its encouragement, and 
the untiring efforts made by individual students to present it to the masses in a 
popular form, it must be acknowledged that as yet it is not studied nearly as 
much as it deserves. 
Little attention was paid to natural history previous to the commence- 
ment of the last century, although the writings of some of the leading philoso- 
phers of antiquity show that it was considered of sufficient importance to receive 
special study. Aristotle and Pliny, the elder, wrote of insects largely, although, 
it is true, somewhat erroneously at times. They too often fell into that trap 
which is still set in the path of modern investigators, namely, allowing their 
imaginations to carry them away from the truth to build up a previously con- 
ceived theory. Speaking of Dr. Leidy, “the most distinguished naturalist of 
America,” a recent writer has said :—“ In the performance of his scientific work 
he has confined himself to the duty of accurately describing what he hasseen. He 
very rarely draws inferences from his accumulated facts, and his innate truthful- 
ness is such as to deter him from theorizing.”” (Popular Science Monthly, V. xvii ;. 
p. 691.) There are few naturalists, probably, to whom similar praise could be given. 
The first book published in England on insects alone is said to have been 
Mouffet’s “ Theatrum Insectorum,” which appeared in the reign of Charles L., 
after having passed through the hands of five learned doctors, all of whom did 
something towards its completion, and after having taken about one hundred 
years to finish. It was owing to the efforts of Ray and Linnzus, ably assisted by 
their contemporaries Reaumer and DeGeer, that entomology was raised to its. 
proper place among the sciences. Since their time many learned men have 
fought hard to keep it there, until now “ the laugh at entomology is nearly spent; 
and known professors of the science may meet in open conclave to exchange 
observations without fear of becoming subjects for a commission de lunatico in- 
guirendo, and may now, net in hand, chase their game without themselves being. 
made game of ” This, however, was not the case in the last century, for we are 
told in Kirby and Spence’s “ Introduction to Entomology ” that an attempt was 
made to set aside the will of a rational woman (Lady Glanville) on the ground 
of insanity, which was evinced, it was claimed, by her fondness for collecting 
insects. 
Foremost of all the great powers in the prosecution of scientific research 
is undoubtedly the Government of the United States. Its official publications 
upon scientific matters are simply magnificent, and the generosity with which it 
