Insects. 4189 



believe that they seem to hold it as part of their duty to be very 

 marked in its performance. For rearing-glasses, I have used confec- 

 tioners' show-glasses of various sizes. These are very cheap, and 

 answer the purpose very well. 



The number of unique insects to be met with in various cabinets 

 throughout our island, is the first reason I would urge for the rearing 

 system ; the second is, that it is the only way to obtain a fine series of 

 these smaller creatures, and is besides the only effectual way of deter- 

 mining whether these so-considered unique insects are distinct spe- 

 cies or merely varieties. No doubt there are many who cleave to old 

 systems with all the fondness of fathers, and who may be hard to con- 

 vince that such systems are not true ; and I believe it to be perhaps a 

 difficult thing for many to forsake, without a struggle or a sigh, those 

 forms and systems which they have followed from their childhood, 

 and to adopt others without a murmur or an indignant thought at the 

 inroads made into their seeming perfect schemes. But I would ask if 

 such forms and systems are opposed to the keener observation of men 

 of later days ; if these later men have watched over all the changes, 

 have noted the transformations, have watched all the irregularities 

 of these species, and established such facts as do really exist ; are 

 not these men balancing the lists and giving to each insect its proper 

 place ? Let any one examine for himself the lists published a few 

 years back, and compare them with those of recent date, and he will 

 find how very diligent early authors have been in creating new genera 

 and species, owing to their taking only the perfect insects which 

 have been more or less subject to variation. See, for example, the 

 Tortrices in Mr. Doubleday's list, or indeed many of the Noctuas, and 

 again in Mr. Stainton's list of Tineidae, &c. This was collecting, in 

 those days, and a variety of a very common insect in many cases stood 

 as unique in Mr. So-and-so's collection. In our day, I maintain it to 

 be our duty to work out from the foundation, so far as is practicable, 

 the history of every insect with which we may meet, so that we may 

 be enabled to see more clearly the wondrous workings of the Great 

 Creator, and set at rest the little difficulties which have arisen in for- 

 mer days in regard to these unique specimens. 



But though these mistakes have arisen, still there is a good deal to 

 be said in thfir favour : for, if we trace back the history of insects a 

 little way, we become astonished at the very few of our countrymen 

 who have done anything towards advancing the pursuit of Entomo- 

 logy, indeed it seems to have been looked upon as a thing with which 

 man had no reason for troubling himself about. "A lamentable thing 

 XIT. F 



