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out with the net) by Httle boys, and declared to be " going a- 

 fishing." This kind of treatment to a sensitive beginner is 

 very trying, and apt to make him discard the pursuit for 

 some other ; but, if he continues a season or two, the tables 

 are turned ; he then begins to think his opponents' education 

 has been sadly neglected, if they don't happen to know what 

 Papilio Machaon is. 



Another hindrance to the study is the want of time. It is 

 true that to go into the work scientifically will take up most 

 of the time that we have to spare in this busy age ; but very 

 much may be done on the Saturday half-holiday, now so 

 general, and nearly all of us have a summer holiday, which is 

 a great boon to the entomologist. 



Then, again, it is one of the most healthful pursuits we can 

 engage in, inasmuch as it takes us out into the open air, away 

 from the cares of business and troubles of life, gives an entire 

 change of thought, thus resting the brain, which nowadays 

 gets fatigued with the continual rush in the struggle for 

 existence. It causes us to walk many miles (without our 

 knowledge, as it were), our thoughts being occupied, not upon 

 laking a constitutional walk, but upon what we shall catch ; 

 thus we get open-air exercise, without the idea that we are 

 going for it, which is very much more beneficial than if we 

 went out for the purpose of health. 



Another advantage to be derived is the cultivation it gives 

 to the eye, in increasing its power of observation. How 

 often does the experienced entomologist detect an insect on 

 a tree trunk or fence, that the uncultivated eye may be 

 looking at, yet fails to observe. 



Again, the entomologist must, of necessity, learn a little of 

 the science of botany, to be able to recognise the food plants 

 of the various larvae ; otherwise he may fail to rear some 

 great rarity. And, not least of all its advantages, is the good 

 fellowship it brings. I don't know any followers of science 

 who are so generous and kindly disposed towards each other 

 as entomologists. It is true there are sometimes little petty 

 jealousies, it is so amongst all scientists ; but I have always 



