6820 Insects, 



I shall, from different examples and otherwise, endeavour to prove 

 the correctness of my views. 



In the present day Entomology is much more generally studied; 

 the number of observers is so largely increased that rare species 

 are continually being found, whose only claim to be considered 

 British rests on a sjjecimen or two '" turning up," and that, too, in 

 spots 3^early visited by collectors ; and before the second season is 

 over they are distributed in all the chief cabinets throughout the 

 liingdom. Look at Erastria Venustula, a species quite entitled, 

 according to the theory of the abolitionists, to be considered doubtful. 

 How many times have I myself visited Loughton, and how many 

 other collectors have rambled over the very spot, and yet not taken 

 it. Mr. Stephens recorded, in 1830, that only four specimens were 

 known to be in existence ; and for fifteen years the species was un- 

 noticed, when Mr. Doubleday called attention to it; but he only suc- 

 ceeded in capturing two specimens. Fourteen years more elapse, 

 and the species again appears upon the scene, T am happy to say 

 through the instrumentality of members of the Haggerstone Entomo- 

 logical Society. I should be loth to believe that the insect was 

 common only last year, and in the years in which it has appeared: 

 I rather incline to think it is a defect in our knowledge of the habits 

 of the species. 



Take another example — Trochilium Chrysidiforme. This was long 

 a doubtful species, Messrs. Doubleday and Stephens having erased 

 it from their Catalogues of British Lepidoptera, the former from his 

 * Synonymic List,' the latter from the Museum ' Catalogue.' Time, 

 however, which makes all plain that was before indistinct, has 

 restored it to us, and in a very singular manner. As some of you 

 may not have heard the particulars, I will relate them briefly. Some 

 one has remarked that all great discoveries are the result of accident : 

 this is certainly an example. Mr. Brewer, of Reigate, on the occa- 

 sion of an excursion from that town to Dover, availed himself of the 

 opportunity and joined the excursionists, for the purpose of collecting 

 his favourite order Coleoptera. Whilst engaged in the search, at some 

 point between Folkestone and Dover, he saw a pretty clear-wing, 

 which he fortunately succeeded in incarcerating in his tobacco-box, 

 little dreaming of the importance of his capture. By him it was pre- 

 sented in a casual way to Mr. Douglas, who recognised in the speci- 

 men the rejected Trochilium Chrysidiforme. Since then the species 

 has been repeatedly taken, and, 1 do not doubt, will continue to be so 

 lor years to come. 



