300 UNDER THE AFRICAN SUN 



into the subject, we are astonished at the vast number of new 

 species added every year to science. 



To the dull eye of ignorance, the starry firmament conveys 

 no more than the presence of certain specks of light, and 

 similarly the universe of myriad forms of life is to the 

 many nothing more than the existence of animated particles 

 of dust. Two years ago I was the guest of a gentleman, a 

 Scotchman, who called the collector's pursuit "womanish"! 

 Yet it was in his house, that I captured two new species of 

 choice moths, one of them being the " Eiicrosfes unpunctata^' 

 of a beautiful apple-green colour with a lovely crimson 

 marginal line. 



I became interested in butterflies, moths, and beetles, rather 

 late in life ; and yet I have succeeded in adding more than fifty 

 new species to science. How I wish I could recall the wasted 

 opportunities of earlier years ! 



The traveller to distant or rarely visited regions of the earth 

 is almost sure to come across new forms of insect life, and, with 

 comparatively little trouble, he could bring thence valuable infor- 

 mation. Of course he must go properly equipped. As I am a 

 self-taught collector, my present modus operandi is the result of 

 experience gained by passing through the preliminary stages 

 of loss and failure. The collector's outfit should comprise 

 butterfly nets, paper pockets, collecting box, killing-bottle, 

 biscuit tins, and naphthaline. 



Butterfly Net. — This must not be a toy, but the best form of 

 net to be obtained in London, sufficiently large to capture the 

 largest butterfly or moth without injury to its wings ; soft and 

 pliant, with the starch taken out of the stiff new net. It should 

 hang limp and close, so as to enfold the tiniest specimens. At 

 least half-a-dozen spare nets should be kept in reserve, owing to 

 the impossibility of replacing a torn or ruined net in these remote 

 regions. It should always be ready for use, and on the march it 

 should be carried by a servant who should be at hand at a 

 moment's call. 



Paper Pockets. — The paper used for making paper pockets 

 should not be too thin. Ordinary curl paper is not suitable, 

 the specimens get injured in it. A number of these pockets, 

 of different sizes, should be carried ready folded for immediate 

 use on the march. The best sort of paper is provided by the 

 various illustrated papers edited for transmission abroad. To 



