﻿214 . Transactions. — Zoology. 



Abt. 'K.'X.'KN^l.— Observations on a Paioer read by Mr. A. Bathgate before the 

 Otago Institute, Wth January, 1870, " On the Lepidoptera of OtagoT 

 By B,. W. Fereday, Con*esponding Membei* of the Entomological Society 

 of London. 



{Read before the PMlosopliieal Institute of Canterhury, 11th October, 1871.] 



The following brief remarks on the above paper are presented to this Society 

 solely with a view of assisting the promotion of truth and accuracy in the 

 investigation of the Fauna of ISTew Zealand, and as a record of the results of 

 my own observations compared with those of Mr. Bathgate, to whom we are 

 greatly indebted for opening up a subject which has been sadly neglected in 

 the scientific researches of this country. 



My knowledge of entomology is so limited, that I feel it almost presump- 

 tion on my part to attempt to contradict, or question, Mr. Bathgate's state- 

 ments or inferences ; but from differences of opinion springs the confirmation 

 of truth. 



I intended contributing long ago to the Transactions of the Society what 

 little information I possess on the Lejoidojotera of these islands, but have been 

 hindered by the very limited time at my disposal, and the difficulty of 

 classifying my collection in the absence of typical specimens and descriptive 

 catalogues of European and Exotic insects for reference. I hope, however, to 

 submit to yoii, during the course of next year, some general notes upon the 

 subject. I regret the delay which has already occurred, not that the infor- 

 mation to be afforded by me would have been of much intrinsic value, but 

 because its defects might have called forth the criticism of able and eminent 

 entomologists, and thereby indirectly aided in the advancement of science. 

 Unfortunately for the advancement of entomology, its votaries are derided by 

 the ignorant vulgar — ever ready to laugh at what they do not understand — 

 and many an active mind, that would otherwise have been devoted to this 

 study, has been led to choose some other field for its energies. To vulgar 

 prejudice alone must be assigned the low rank held by the study of insects in. 

 the several branches of natural history ; for no other animals exercise such a 

 vast influence for good or evil on the human race, or afford so great a fund 

 of interest and enjoyment in the investigation of their wonderfully vaiious 

 habits and instincts. 



Happily the time is past when Lady Granville's will was attempted to be 

 set aside on account of lunacy, simply on the ground of her fondness for 

 collecting insects ; and we may hope that, ere long, entomology will gain its 

 legitimate place beside the sister sciences. 



