4444 Things hoped for. 



supplied from amongst us, but who is there amongst us able to supply 

 them, when they shall be hid from our sight for ever? Truly it 

 is a question which ought to touch us deeply, and make us think 

 a little less of ourselves than we have been in the habit of doing. 

 Many of us are yet but very infants in the science. We have 

 collected together a great many species, and made it our boast that 

 such and such are in our possession. We have spent large sums in 

 obtaining the rarer insects, and some who have done so had only in 

 view their possession of them, that they might gloat over them and 

 say, ' I gave so much for this, is it not a valuable addition ? ' The silver 

 net has done more towards enriching many collections in a few days 

 than weeks of industry has done for the working-collector. How 

 many have lived in the neighbourhood of some of the choicest things 

 for a length of time without ever discovering that they were there, and 

 when shown them would scarcely believe the tale. However, damp 

 feet and a little fatigue may be easily avoided by the payment of a few 

 shillings. Now, I do not wish to be misunderstood, nor have it 

 thought that I wish merely to treat my brethren rudely. Far be 

 it from me to do so. It is my desire and wish, that from amongst us 

 may spring up men with minds so large as to be able to compete with 

 those departed and on the wane, and at the same time to be as free 

 to communicate to their humble followers as these last are to emulate 

 them. Nor would I have them lean too much on any one as a guide. 

 Our science is not yet so perfect but that some other paths may 

 be made, or those already made better harmonized. A man can 

 never be an entomologist, nor any other ologist, if he sits continually 

 by his fireside. He must betake himself to the fields and woods and 

 see Nature as she is ; study her carefully and record her lessons faith- 

 fully in his book. He must feel that 



" All places that the eye of heaven visits 

 Are to a wise man ports and happy havens ; '' 



that necessities have come so thick upon him, unless he uses now 

 his utmost efforts all his former doings are as nothing. For what is 

 a collection of insects, though it were the finest in the kingdom, if its 

 possessor sees only skin-deep into their usefulness and design. It 

 appears to me to resemble very much a man with a library, formed of 

 the choicest authors of various languages, and of which he can make 

 no use ; or as a child with a picture-book, very well to please the 

 eye. 



