330 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



keep all specimens at the same height. — D. P. Turneb ; Tonbridge, 

 Oct. 6th, 1896, 



There is no doubt some general rule should be laid down for the 

 above, especially for collectors of British Lepidoptera. Exotic col- 

 lectors are so few and far between that I think they might be left to 

 fight their own battles. But who likes to see British insects set flat ? 

 Insects so set are classed "continental" at once. Who among the 

 collectors who give long prices for insects (because they are caught 

 this side of the Channel) would look at such insects on long pins, set 

 flat ? I think everyone will agree with me that flat-setting is ugly, 

 wooden, and contrary to the laws of nature — therefore unnatural. A 

 drawer of flat-set Lepidoptera always look to me as if they were made 

 of paper. I suppose this is because one is accustomed to see them so 

 in pictures. Of course I understand one principal reason is to show 

 as much of the wing as possible, but there is nothing to prevent 

 collectors having one or two specimens so set (my remarks refer more 

 especially to those who have a long series) ; there is surely no necessity 

 to set all flat. Let any who have doubts go and look at Hewitson's 

 magnificent collection in the Museum, and compare it with a German 

 collection. — Walter Dannatt ; Ivy Dene, Westcombe Park, S.E. 



Entomologist v. Collector. — Mrs. E. S.Hutchinson (ante, p. 313) 

 publishes a very indignant note respecting the imaginary discourtesy 

 of those who denounce the " mere collector." I fail, however, to see 

 what courtesy and discourtesy have to do with it, but consider it more 

 a matter of truth and logic. If a person possesses a pronounced 

 opinion upon any subject, and has the courage of his convictions, I do 

 not see that he deserves to be denounced as being discourteous, unless, 

 of course, he pubUshed his opinions with the direct purpose of causing 

 anybody annoyance. It is a matter entirely concerning principles 

 instead of personalities. Your correspondent recommends the Rev, W. 

 Claxton to "note" those who are so discourteous as to condemn the 

 "mere collector." Well, I can supply the first instalment to the list, 

 in the name of that great and highly respected entomologist, the late 

 H. W. Bates, who professed a profound contempt for the " mere 

 collector" (see 'The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin'). — W. 

 Harcourt-Bath. 



May I be allowed a few remarks on Mr. Claxton's note and the 

 Editor's reply, pp. 286-7 ? I think that most of us rather despise 

 those who form collections of pictures without in the least being able 

 to appreciate their merits. So also with collectors of insects ; it is 

 reasonable, I think, to expect them to collect intelligently, and so 

 far to be scientific. But it seems to me absurd to suggest that the 

 ordinary untrained individual can do nothing for science in the course 

 of his collecting. The great need of Entomology at the present 

 day is intelligent field-collectors, who will notice and record what 

 goes on before them ; people who can see things that are not men- 

 tioned in their text-books. Such observers should be aided by those 

 whose training and knowledge of the literature enable them to pick 

 out the new and valuable points in the observations. I have lately 

 published a good deal on wild bees, and anyone who will look at 

 my papers will see that nearly all contain references to assistance 



