362 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



have been left unnamed: this is, of course, by no means universally 

 applicable, and it often arises from a want of space ; but it is surely 

 calculated to improve our knowledge to a greater extent, if we limit 

 the number of species we collect and study all their varieties, than if 

 we collect a large number of species and necessarily limit ourselves to 

 a few varietal types. There is also a prejudice common to, I think, 

 most collectors, that a specimen is very nearly useless unless in perfect 

 condition ; and the way in which a valuable specimen is sometimes 

 discarded, when its antennae are missing or one wing is chipped, 

 because it "spoils the look of the series," is, to say the least, un- 

 scientific. Such vagaries as these often completely invalidate assump- 

 tions drawn from collections as at present constituted, and it is perhaps 

 noteworthy that, until more rational methods are employed, only those 

 who are collectors themselves are in a position to " apply their know- 

 ledge to the deducing of general laws." Another case I should like to 

 draw attention to, concerning the addition to our scientific results that 

 might result from a sacrifice of the look (and commercial value) of a 

 specimen on the altar of knowledge, is that of "gynandrous" forms. 

 If those who are fortunate enough to meet with such were either to 

 dissect, or cut sections through, the abdomen, a great deal might be 

 learnt of the dependence of secondary sexual characters on the de- 

 velopment of the sexual organs. I have already taken up too much 

 valuable space, but I hope I have shown how useful it is for every 

 entomologist to be a collector, although, of course, I quite agree with 

 Mr. Harcourt-Bath {ante, p. 293) that some collectors have no more 

 claim to be entitled entomologists than postage-stamp collectors have 

 to be entitled geographers, or coin-collectors historians. I think it 

 may be interesting to note Darwin's opinions on collectors. He says, 

 in a letter to Sir J. D. Hooker : — " It is an old and firm conviction of 

 mine, that the naturalists who accumulate facts and make many 

 partial generalisations are the real benefactors of science. Those who 

 merely accumulate facts I cannot very much respect" ('Life and 

 Letters, C. D.' vol. ii. p. 225).— F. P. Bedford ; King's Coll. Camb. 

 Nov. 16th, 1896. 



A7ite, p. 330, we have ''the first instalment to the hst" of those 

 " who professed a profound contempt for the mere collector" before us. 

 It seems somewhat sad to bring forward such an unchristian feeling on 

 the part of one who has passed from among us ; still it is rather 

 amusing that no livm(j entomologist has the courage to confess " pro- 

 found contempt" for a rather large number of his inoffensive fellow- 

 creatures. — (Mrs.) E. S. Hutchinson ; Grantsfield. 



On Bearing Acherontia atropos. — May I add a contribution to 

 the queries, information, and discussion going on in the ' Entomo- 

 logist ' upon the method of treatment best calculated to obtain the 

 perfect insect from the pupa of A. atropos? My friend the Rev. 

 Augustine Chudleigh, of West Purley, Wimborne, consulted me, in 

 August last, upon the above point, as he was then feeding a nearly 

 full-grown larva. I recommended him to adopt the *' forcing" system, 

 and below I add verbatim his report upon the matter : — 



" I kept the pupa, as you directed, on the verge of stewing ; in a 

 roll of flannel, open at the ends, it lay on two quarts of earth which 



