( Ixxii ) 



effect which a day in the country with the object of gaining 

 an insight into the marvels of natural creation, none the less 

 wonderful because in themselves common and widely distri- 

 buted, must have upon the minds and characters of all who 

 seek such enjoyment. The number of naturalists' field clubs 

 and associations throughout the country, especially in con- 

 nection with public schools, young men's Christian associa- 

 tions, and mechanics' institutes, is increasing every year ; the 

 scientific and learned societies dealing with biological study 

 may be estimated approximately at scarcely less than 300. 

 Who will deny that the hundreds of thousands of members of 

 such associations are thus afforded the means of escaping 

 from that fog of ignorance and narrow-mindedness which, 

 through no fault of their own, too often settles down upon the 

 habitual dwellers in our great manufacturing towns, mimicking, 

 as it were, the atmospheric conditions in which they are 

 condemned to pass their lives. 



If the study of Entomology, looked upon as a mere " hobby," 

 sport, or pastime, can claim to have conferred no greater 

 benefits upon the human race than to have afforded to a not 

 inconsiderable section of our urban population an inducement 

 to improve their minds and recreate their bodies, it will have 

 contributed in no small degree to the sum of human health, 

 happiness, and morality. I hope our experience may 

 enable most of us to endorse the statement of the Abbe 

 Umhang, in his obituary notice of Henri de Peyerimhoff in 

 1876 : — " J'ai connu plus d'un jeune homme qui s'est 

 passionne pour une branche de I'histoire naturelle, et je n'en 

 ai vu aucun s'ecarter du chemin de la vertu et de I'honneur." 



For the very reasons to which I have briefly alluded it 

 must be admitted that of all branches of systematic zoological 

 study Entomology presents the greatest difiBculties, and 

 involves the greatest necessity for constant application and 

 careful work. The fact that rare or obscure species can be 

 easily overlooked, and the facility, nevertheless, with which 

 vast numbers of specimens can be obtained, whilst they 

 enhance the pleasure to be derived from field-collecting, 

 combine to increase the labour involved in classification and 

 arrangement, and make it impossible for the cabinet 



