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those who know how to spend their leisure profitably and intel- 
lectually at the same time, more especially in the delightful study 
of nature and her handiwork, the feeling becomes one of intense 
pleasure. You have also the feeling that you are not only adding 
to the store of your own knowledge, but in all probability making 
observations which may be of use to some one else, and that some 
one will in all probability be the grower. 
Kirby, one of the most delightful and practical of our great 
English writers on entomology, remarks “ that entomology is un- 
questionably the best fitted for thus disciplining the youthful 
mind, and simply from these circumstances, that its objects have 
life and are gifted with surprising instinct admirably calculated 
to attract youthful attention, and are to be met with everywhere.” 
“Tt is not meant to undervalue the good effects of the study of 
botany or mineralogy, but it is self-evident that nothing inanimate 
can excite such interest in the mind of a young person as beings 
endowed with vitality, exercising their powers and faculties in so 
singular a way, which, as Reaumur says, are not only alive them- 
selves but confer animation upon the leaves, fruits, and flowers 
that they inhabit, which every walk offers to view, and on which 
new observations may be made without end.” ‘ Besides these 
advantages no study affords a fairer opportunity of leading the 
young mind by a natural and pleasing path to the great truths of 
religion, and of impressing it with the most lively ideas of the 
power, wisdom, and greatness of the Creator.” 
We have thus said a little, only a little to be sure, concerning 
the use of entomology in enabling one to know something about 
insects that are destructive to crops, but there is another aspect 
of the question, and that is the advantages to be gained in being 
able to tell a destructive insect from a beneficial one. 
Take for example our little ladybird (Leis conformis) which, 
when in the larval state, is so destructive to aphides all and sundry, 
It is no uncommon occurrence for growers, I mean those who have 
not taken the trouble to think or read for themselves, to send me 
these useful little insects as something to be dreaded, and asking 
to be supplied with an effective remedy. Again, I have seen 
people shaking these, their best friends in the insect line, on to a 
cloth and destroying them wholesale. Surely this must be for 
the want of knowing better, as a very cursory glance over any 
aphis-infested tree will disclose the presence of numerous ugly- 
looking grub-like forms busy devouring the aphides in a wholesale 
and voracious manner. 
Then there are the Hemorobide, or lace-wings, which, in the 
larval state, like wolves ina sheep-fold, make great havoc amongst 
the aphides. I must refer you to Part-II. of my book for a more 
lengthy description of these two valuable “ insect helps”? to the 
et ee 
