THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Iby 



Next to the publication of original papers, and the patron- 

 age of the higher departments of the science, the materials for 

 study deserve consideration ; being, in fact, the means by 

 which the former are produced. These branch off, as already 

 intimated, into two divisions: — 1. The collecting, or acquiring 

 of new objects, for the purpose of forming a general entomo- 

 logical cabinet ; and, 2. The formation of a library. To both 

 of these the members and associates should have free access ; 

 and should enjoy the unrestrained use, so far as might be 

 consistent with the preservation and care of the specimens, and 

 the convenience of that amiable and promising entomologist, 

 who has so liberally and zealously taken upon himself the office 

 of our Curator. 



It is quite unnecessary, in addressing naturalists, to expa- 

 tiate upon the vital importance of a cabinet of specimens, 

 whether as a source of instruction to the young beginner, of 

 authority to the nomenclator, or as a "magazine" of research 

 to the theorist. On all this there can be but one opinion. 



The only difficulty we have to encounter lies in the means 

 of accomplishing an object so important. Much may be 

 expected from the future liberality of the members, because 

 much has been already done, — more especially by our generous 

 President, — towards laying a good foundation. We may 

 advance, indeed, in this way, to a certain point; but beyond 

 that, if we merely depend upon presents, our progress will be 

 very small, and totally inadequate to the wants of the Society. 

 It cannot be expected, that the gifts of the members should be 

 extended beyond the duplicates of their respective cabinets ; 

 and these, where foreign insects are concerned, excepting in 

 very few instances, will soon cease to increase the number of 

 species in our public collection. It may not be expedient, 

 perhaps, in the present infancy of the Society, to devise any 

 plans for an extensive and constant acquisition of new species ; 

 and the length to which this paper has already extended forbids 

 me from saying more upon this subject at present : it is one, 

 however, in which we are, or can be, so much interested, that 

 I propose resuming it in the next number of the Magazine. 

 I may, however, suggest the expediency of allowing the 

 Curator to expend, at his own discretion, any sum, not exceed- 

 ing five pounds, in the acquisition of any lot of insects which 

 circumstances may enable him to procure for the Society, 



