HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 175 



measure of what we may say of entomology from them). In this 

 work they say one cause of so little attention being paid to ento- 

 mology is the ridicule so often thrown upon those who pursue the 

 study of insects. This is not. exactly so, however, with the bot- 

 anist, who, sheltered now by the union of his study, medicine, may 

 dedicate his hours, yes, his best life, to the study of a few mosses 

 arid lichens without the least whisper of ridicule. In the minds of 

 most men, the learned as well as the unlearned, the idea of the 

 trilling nature of the pursuit of the entomologist is so strongly as- 

 sociated with the smallness of the objects that his very name is 

 S} T nonymous wilh childishness. 



If we pursue the study for mere self- gratification, we often 

 feel or wish that some one would enter into our views and feelings 

 and so confirm us in che opinion that we entertain of our- 

 selves. But when or how can we look for sympathy, or a fellow 

 feeling, when our calling is unknown to the world, except as in- 

 dicative of littleness of mind? Mankind in general, even philoso- 

 phers seem to deprecate any calling or profession, except the par- 

 ticular one they have made their own. And, yet, we cannot say 

 much against this, for we are all more selfish than we think, or 

 even pretend we are. So in such contests for prominence, there is 

 no science that has come off worse than entomology. 



Her students have been few and her admirers less, but, notwith- 

 standing all this, we are satisfied. We could, if we had the time 

 to dive deep enough, easily demonstrate to all minds, that were it 

 not for the existence of insects — entomology — there would be no 

 botany, no bread — from this you can draw your own conclusions, 

 and vice versa. 



Now, in endavoring to get at the true status of any department 

 of science, it is necessary to compare it with other branches and 

 thus determine its standard, the instruction and amusement it 

 affords to its pupils, as well as the benefits to be derived from it 

 by society at large. While not in the least speaking disparagingly 

 of any branch of science, or more specifically natural history, we 

 nevertheless maintain that the economic study of entomology and 

 the practical application of its teachings to the wants and demands 

 of society, makes its study pre-eminently useful above all of its 

 sister sciences. 



As to the number of specific objects, entomology caps the climax, 

 there being more than 400,000 distinct species of insects, while for 

 all other animals 30,000 would be an excessive estimate. There 

 would seem to be no end to the testimony we could bring to prove 

 that the study of entomology is the one thing to do, and why it is 

 not taught in our schools, colleges and universities, is what we are 

 unable to comprehend. 



To advert a little to the beauties of the insect world, let us refer 

 to a few of the markings with which nature in her sportive mood 

 has painted them. Upon some we have imitation of the clouds of 

 heaven, meanderings of rivers, many are veined like beautiful mar- 

 ble, others resemble a robe of the finest net-work, some are bla- 

 zoned with heraldic insignia, giving upon fields of sable, azure, 



