382 Entomological Papers. [No. 5. 



the difficulties which beset the path of the entomological author in 

 this country as not insurmountable. 



The objections raised against me will be these : considering the 

 state the entomological literature is still in, that is to say, consider- 

 ing that it has not, generally speaking, been condensed into a 

 certain limited and obtainable number of volumes as is the case in 

 the higher branches of Zoology and Botany, that on the contrary 

 the bulk of it consists of fragments which float without order in the 

 misty and unfathomable ocean of scientific journals — it is next to 

 impossible that an individual entomologist abroad should surround 

 himself with this shapeless mass of learning and keep himself by this 

 or other means so well informed of the details of the actual progress 

 of the science as not to be exposed to mistakes of one kind or 

 another, but more especially to creating synonymy in attempting to 

 work independently. It will further be said against me that not 

 having the facilities and the wholesome checks which arise from the 

 diligent use of extensive and well named collections, not even having 

 the gratification of a brother entomologist's views and opinions on 

 doubtful cases, it will be impossible even to determine whether an 

 insect be new or not ; and from these reasons (the resume will be) 

 entomologists abroad should confine themselves to collecting and 

 observing the habits of the objects of their attention, but they should 

 never go to print with matters on which it is an impossibility for 

 the ablest among them to be quite competent. These arguments 

 are unfortunately too true, but still I think admit of being mitigated 

 sufficiently to lead us to final conclusions less disheartening than the 

 above. 



First of all every entomologist gives the preference to a certain order 

 of insects — say Coleoptera — and in this even, in almost all cases, to 

 one or two particular families. In studying for the publication of 

 new species under the disadvantages just mentioned, he will confine 

 himself to this order or perhaps family. Now, although as objected 

 above, the information existing on this particular branch is for the 

 most part fragmentary, still there are certain families on which it has 

 received a tangible shape from having been condensed by able hands : 

 Burmeister's Lamellicornia, Dejean's Carobidse, Erichson's Staphy- 

 linidse, Schoenherr's Curculionida3, Boheman's Cassidae, West wood's 



