22 OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 
their vacant time to plant-hunting, like Joseph Fox, recorded by Sir James 
Smith as the first raiser of a Lycopodium from seed ? * 
— Still more easy is it to advocate the cause of another description of 
entomologists —the general collectors. These, though not concerning 
themselves with the system, contribute most essentially to its advancement. 
We cannot expect that princes, noblemen, and others of high rank or large 
fortune who collect insects, should be able or willing to give up the time 
necessary for studying them systematically ; but their museums being 
accessible to the learned entomologist, afford him the use of treasures 
which his own limited funds or opportunities could never haye brought 
together. As to others of less consequence that content themselves with 
the title of collectors, they also have their use. Having devoted them- 
selves to this one department, they become more expert at it than the philo- 
sopher who combines deep researches with the collection of objects; aud 
thus are many species brought together for the use of the systematist, that 
would otherwise remain unknown. 
But to proceed to the defence of the systematic entomologists. — These 
may be divided into two great classes: the first comprising those who 
confine themselves to ascertaining the names of the insects they collect; 
the second, those who, in addition, publish descriptions of new species, 
new arrangements of intricate genera, or extrications of entangled synonyms, 
and who, in other respects, actively contribute to the perfection of the 
system. ; 
Now with regard to the first class, setting aside what may be urged in 
behalf of the study of insects considered as the work of the Creator, it is 
easy to show that, even with such restricted views, their pursuit is as com- 
mendable, and as useful both to themselves and the community, as many 
of those on which we look with the greatest respect. To say the least in 
their favour, they amuse themselves innocently, which is quite as much as 
can be urged for persons who recreate their Jeisure hours with music, 
painting, or desultory reading. They furnish themselves with an unfailing 
provision of that “ grand panacea for the ¢@dium vite” —employment — no 
unimportant acquisition, when even Gray was forced to exclaim, with re- 
ference to the necessity of “always having something going forward” 
towards the enjoyment of life, ““ Happy they who can create a rose-tree or 
erect a honey-suckle ; that can watch the brood of a hen, or see a fleet of 
their own ducklings launch into the water!”? And, like the preceding 
class, they collect valuable materials for the use of more active labourers, 
being thus at least upon a par with the majority of book-collectors and 
antiquaries. ; 
SERIES NEE RR SE SE ers Se 
There is my friend the weaver; strong desires 
Reign in his breast; ’tis beauty he admires: 
See to the shady grove he wings his way, 
And feels in hope the rapture of the day — 
Eager he looks, and soon to glad his eyes, 
From the sweet bower by nature form’d arise 
Bright troops of virgin moths, and fresh-born butterflies. 
* * * 
He fears no bailiff’s wrath, no baron’s blame; 
His is untax’d and undisputed game. 
Crabbe’s Borough, p. 110, 
1 Linn. Trans, ii, 815. 
2 Letter to Dr. Wharton, Mason’s Life uf Gray, p. 28. 
