3774 Inserts. 



whence they came, why they were created, or whither they went. In many districts 

 of Scotland the foot-print of the naturalist, in this branch of study, has been seldom 

 noticed, — seldom has it been impressed by the foot of one of her own sons. In some 

 districts there are those who have never dreamt of the 



" Infinite shapes of creatures there are bred, 

 And uncouth forms, which none yet ever knew, 

 And every sort is in a sondry bed 

 Sett by itselfe, and ranckt in comely rew ;" * 



and how 



" Daily they grow, and daily forth are sent 

 Into the world, it to replenish more." f 



It is not because such persons consider the study of insects beneath them that it is not 

 pursued, but because their minds have not been turned into the proper channel. Were 

 this once accomplished, how many an hour now spent idly in the streets or elsewhere, 

 might be improved, and the mind carried from the creature to the Creator ! Perhaps 

 the best and easiest way to give the young some knowledge of the wonders with which 

 they are surrounded, would be to make Entomology a branch of education in every 

 school. No difficulty would attend this ; and certain it is that there are many who 

 would willingly contribute very largely to the formation of a collection to be attached 

 to each school for the use of the scholars. Or if even a collection were placed in some 

 public institution in each town which boasts one, many might be induced to profit 

 thereby. Books on the subject are necessarily very expensive, from the labour required 

 in getting them up, and from the small number of readers ; but might not such a lau- 

 dable object as we are advocating lead to a reduction in their price ? — for where one 

 copy was formerly sold, the number would perhaps be trebled. Scotland is full of 

 grand haunts for these creatures. Her lofty towering hills, some rugged and stony, 

 others mantled with the purple heather interspersed with woods; her large glens, 

 adown which run many a stream ; her moors and her mosses,— all have their own pe- 

 culiar tenants. Her remains of large forests, of which those that have been partially 

 explored present proofs of their richness, and lead us to infer that the like might rea- 

 sonably be expected of the others ; her lakes, too, enjoy their novelties. Indeed, every 

 variety of ground is to be met with, from hills like Alps to the sweetest pastoral. The 

 very scenery itself is enchanting, and sufficient to entice the thoughts from their ordi- 

 nary course. I remember that when ascending Ben Lomond for the first time, I 

 paused half way up the elevation, in order to breathe awhile and look around me. The 

 sun had been obscured for some time, but suddenly burst forth in all his splendour ; 

 and never can I forget the grandeur of the surrounding scenery. Not a bird skimmed 

 along, not a leaf moved, not a breath of air interrupted the quiet, but all was breath- 

 less silence. At my feet lay the huge lake, like molten lead, so calm that you might 

 have fancied it afraid to move, lest it should disturb the sleep which had fallen on all 

 around. Its numerous islands, 



* Spenser's ■ Faerie Queen,' Book 3, Can. 6. f Idem. 



