( var )) 
with the letter S prefixed; but the following year I began with 
adding the year, and the first capture of 1849 is labelled S1 and 
so on to the present time. 49 
Over and over again have I recognised the extreme value of 
these labels; many a time has it happened that on a closely 
allied new species being added to our lists, I have been able to 
find that I had specimens of it, having previously overlooked its 
distinctness, and then, by the numbers which these specimens 
bore, I could trace at once when and where they had been 
captured. 
Unfortunately I did not carry out one portion of Mr. Stephens’ 
plan,—that of numbering any specimens I received from any of 
my numerous correspondents,—and the consequence is that hun- 
dreds of specimens have been added to my collection since 1848 
which bear no numbers, and at this distance of time, with the 
defective memory incidental to advancing years, I find myself 
frequently quite in the dark as to where the specimens can have 
come from. 
Having pointed out the vast stride that was effected in the 
inherent value of our captures by the simple plan of numbering 
each specimen, and having the precise origin of each number 
recorded in a journal, I would now ask whether some further step 
could not be taken to increase the utility of our specimens? The 
acquisition of each specimen, though doubtless it has afforded us 
much pleasure, has consumed time and entailed labour; should 
we not, therefore, seek to elicit the greatest possible amount of 
utility from each specimen ? 
The system of labelling with a number, and making an entry 
in a journal, is of use during the lifetime of an entomologist ; but 
even were we to live to the age of Methusaleh, the system would 
be rendered useless by our decease, as in all probability the 
insects would go in one direction, and the journal in another; 
therefore, the question will arise whether some more complete 
form of label might not be devised, which would supply in itself 
the pith of the information obtainable by a reference to the 
journal. 
I find that it is really practicable, by writing very neatly, to 
get the locality, date, and other information written within the 
compass of a label less than half an inch square; and if this be 
then attached to a specimen, it speaks to all future time as to 
