50 BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 







days, to add to our pleasure and instruction, perhaps for 

 years after. 



In the time of the great Kay, in such mean repute 

 was the science of entomology held, mainly, I believe, 

 on account of the small size of its objects, that an action 

 at la\' was brought to set aside the will of an estimable 

 woman, Lady Glanville, on the ground of insanity, the 

 only symptom of which that they could bring forward 

 in evidence was her fondness for collecting insects ! . 



But this was some two centuries ago, and matters 

 have greatly mended for the entomologist since then. 

 Now he may collect butterflies, or other flies, as he pleases, 

 without bringing down a commission "de lunatico }J 

 on his head 9 but still the goodness of his heart is some- 

 times called in question, and he has to encounter the 

 equally obnoxious charge of cruelty to the objects of his 

 admiration that, too, from intelligent and worthy 

 friends, whose good opinion he would most unwillingly 

 forfeit. 



He, therefore, is naturally most anxious that those 

 friends should be led to share his own conviction, that 

 the pursuit of entomology the needful butterfly killing 

 and all included may be not only not cruel, but actually 

 beneficent in theory and practice. 



So I will briefly try to act as apologist for the 

 " brotherhood of the net," myself included. 



In the first place, I will state roundly my sincere belief 

 that insects cannot feel pain. This is no special plead- 

 ing, or " making the wish the father to the thought/' 



