Insects, 4579 



I will here first premise what I think all will agree in, that, even 

 supposing pain to be inflicted, there is no class of men who show more 

 real regard for the well-being of insects than true entomologists. Just 

 observe the different modes of treatment to which these creatures are 

 subjected by those who are and those who are not entomologists ! 

 the former, from a study of their habits, economy and position, as 

 instruments in the great scheme of creation, are so deeply impressed 

 with their importance, that, save specimens for the purpose of study 

 (and these it is their great object to deprive of life by the speediest 

 possible method), they are most jealous of the wanton destruction of a 

 single insect; and to see these creatures, in the full enjoyment of life 

 and vigour, performing their allotted part in the system of nature is an 

 entomologist's most delightful occupation, while one who has not made 

 them the subject of study and observation may perhaps have some 

 vague idea of their being for some good purpose, inasmuch as "in 

 wisdom they were all created," though more commonly but little really 

 impressed by such a consideration, looks upon insects, at least those 

 with which he is more immediately brought in contact, as wholly 

 noxious and troublesome, and the unfortunate wasp, spider, cater- 

 pillar or other creature, is crushed with no more heed to its use or 

 feelings than if it were a blade of grass ; and if taxed with thoughtless 

 cruelty, he tells you, as I have been frequently told, that it does not 

 matter, seeing they are certainly not responsible creatures. 



I have not here made any mention of the destruction of really 

 noxious insects; but when any species is proved to be a real pest 

 there is no one more ready or more qualified to aid in its removal 

 than an entomologist; and, indeed, it is to him, almost without ex- 

 ception, that mankind are indebted for the discovery of many minute 

 and destructive insects, and the means of exterminating, or, at all 

 events, keeping them within due bounds ; and, on the other hand, it 

 is not unfrequently his pleasant office to rescue some inoffensive 

 creature from undeserved obloquy and consequent immolation, on 

 account of some fanciful injury or ignorant prejudice: this has hap- 

 pened to myself several times ; once in particular when, hearing that, 

 in a neighbouring parish, a farmer had caught and secured the " cause 

 of the potato disease," I made inquiries, and was able to save from 

 destruction and unmerited reproach sundry larvae of the death's-head 

 {Acherontia Atropos). Again : not long since, on showing an old 

 gamekeeper a large box of the larvae of the emperor moth (Saturnia 

 Pavonia-minor), his exclamation was, " Lor, sir, they be poisonous ! 



