OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 41 



Roxburgh, &c. But I do not wish to conceal that 

 though a large proportion of entomologists direct their 

 views much further than to the mere nomenclature of 

 their science, there exists a great number, probably the 

 majority, to whom the objection will strictly apply. Now 

 I contend, and shall next endeavour to prove, that en- 

 tomologists of this description are devoting their time to 

 a most valuable end ; and are conferring upon society a 

 benefit incalculably greater than that derived from the 

 labours of many of those who assume the privilege of 

 despising their pursuit. 



Even in favour of the mere butterfly-hunter — he who 

 has no higher aim than that of collecting a picture of 

 Lepidoptera, and is attached to insects solely by their 

 beauty or singularity, it would not be difficult to say 

 much. Can it be necessary to declaim on the superi- 

 ority of a people amongst whom intellectual pleasures, 

 however trifling, are preferred to mere animal gratifica- 

 tions ? Is it a thing to be lamented that some of the 

 Spitalfields weavers occupy their leisure hours in search- 

 ing for the Adonis butterfly, and others of the more 

 splendid Lepidoptera a , instead of spending them in play- 

 ing at skittles or in an alehouse ? Or is there in truth 

 any thing more to be wished than that the cutlers of 

 Sheffield were accustomed thus to employ their Saint 

 Mondays ; and to recreate themselves after a hard day's 

 work, by breathing the pure air of their surrounding 

 hills, while in search of this " untaxed and undisputed 

 game b ;" and that more of the Norwich weavers were fond 



a Haworth Lepid, Brit. 44. 57. 



b Oft have I smiled the happy pride to see 

 Of humble tradesmen in their evening glee. 



