14 NATURE'S VOLUME. 



Gnats which disport over frozen pools, a sprinkling of other 

 Insects may be seen melting their frosted fluids in the wintry 

 sunbeam or the sheltered window. Numerous others, hidden 

 from all but practised eyes, are laid up snugly in various 

 hybernacula of which the discovery adds a zest to their pursuit. 

 Of these, some are concealed in caverns under ground, some in 

 beds of mud beneath the water, some are ensconced in hollow 

 trees, and behind or in crannies of their bark, while others lurk 

 within the tunnels of dry perforated stalks, sleep within the 

 domes of protecting gall-nuts, or lie defended from frost and 

 famine in other homes of shelter, such as the care of Him who 

 careth for all has led them so seek out. 



Using our hobby as a hunter, we may pursue our game for 

 two different objects ; that of observation or collection, or both 

 combined. And we may collect for two different purposes ; 

 that of scrutinizing living instincts, or arranging and looking at 

 dead objects. As for him whose delight in natural objects, of 

 what kind soever, consists solely in their amassment, or is cir- 

 cumscribed within the walls of his cabinet, he is no naturalist 

 at all, a mere kindred spirit of the Bibliomaniac, and little 

 better than the miser whose iron heart is in his iron chest. 

 Neither are specimens necessary to the study of Insects, though, 

 like the Hortus Siccus of the botanist, they are of great as- 

 sistance, especially at its commencement. Subsequently, if you 

 should desire to collect, we would recommend the pursuit, for 

 this purpose, of one selected tribe ; say, Beetles, as the most 

 varied and perfect, or Butterflies and Moths, as the most 

 elegant and interesting of the Insect classes. The study of the 

 latter only, in the search after Caterpillars, the feeding them on 

 fresh leaves of such plants as they frequent, and the opportu- 

 nities thus afforded of watching them through their changes, 

 transformations, and most ingenious labours, will afford ample 

 occupation and amusement for nearly every season of the 

 year, and moreover present us, if we choose, a collection of 

 cabinet paintings, in whose exhibition and contemplation 



