very expensive to establish and maintain a good collection of lepidoptera. I 

 have not heard that any changes are contemplated and presume that one would 

 be considered revolutionary, or at least visionary, who would suggest any 

 changes in the old-time methods. 



COLLECTIONS EXPENSIVE LUXURIES. 



Only very wealthy men, very wealthy institutions or museums munificently 

 endowed by millionaires or governments can hope to possess large collections 

 of moths and butterflies. Individual collectors with moderate means can only 

 hope to build up their collections by a system of exchanging, one with the 

 other, and the business of exchanging specimens has assumed vast proportions. 

 Indeed, more than one well known Entomologist has expressed surprise that 

 anybody could be found who would purchase specimens. It has become a 

 rule among the middle classes to acquire additions to their collections by means 

 of exchanging. Occasionally every collector will buy a rare specimen to fill 

 up a gap in his cabinet, but the tendency of the extortionate prices of specimens 

 has been to drive every one of moderate means into the business of exchanging 

 instead of buying and selling. No one has suffered more than the dealers them- 

 selves, for only men of large capital could afford the luxury of owning collections, 

 and such men can afford to employ their own corps of collectors. 



NEW INTEREST IN ENTOMOLOGY. 



There is a new and very widespread enthusiasm in the study of ento- 

 mology. Schools, colleges, the Agassiz Association, nature clubs, writers of 

 fiction and even the newspapers and magazines are trying to educate people 

 to study this fascinating branch of science. Of course, each neophyte will not 

 become a devotee, each curiosity seeker a worshiper, each amateur a scientist, 

 but the outgrowth of the present education will be a vast number of zealous 

 entomologists and enthusiastic collectors. One can almost claim that a "butter- 

 fly" fad is sweeping over the country. Butterfly jewelry, plaques, art work, 

 artistic mounts, pictures, decorations, displays in show windows are quite com- 

 mon and are constantly increasing. The craze has invaded the world of 

 fashion and butterfly designs abound in all sorts of embroidery and fancy work. 

 Many boys and girls, many young women and men are becoming entranced with 

 the sport of catching moths, butterflies and beetles, and of starting collections 

 for their own amusement and the entertainment of their friends. They cannot 

 afford to buy specimens at the prices charged by the dealers. Those who propa- 

 gate moths and butterflies will soon learn that good money can be made by 

 selling at lower figures. 



GOOD PROFITS AT LOW PRICES. 



If the scores and hundreds of people who are learning butterfly farming 

 can sell the products of their nets, traps and breeding cages at a flat rate of 

 five cents per specimen, they will not only find their avocation profitable, but 

 they will enable people of moderate means to build up fine collections. I shall 

 not attempt to advise pupils what prices they ought to charge for specimens, 

 because each particular locality may require a different schedule. In corre- 

 sponding with my pupils I find that many of them are willing to make about 

 the same terms which I here announce for the butterflies and moths of Truckee. 

 The list submitted is only a partial one of the species which are found in this 

 locality. Additions and corrections will be made from time to time, but this 

 list will form the basis of my offer. 



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