58 



favourable conditions not only for the successful cultivation of roots, cereals, fruit and 

 the other varied forms of produce which constitute the wealth of the agricultural classes, 

 but also for those gigantic armies which from time to time levy such undue tribute upon 

 their hard-earned savings, and where consequently it might be imagined they had been 

 taught a practical answer by bitter experience. But no ! such is not the case, and these 

 " minims of creations " individually so puny and weak, but which, united, form such irre- 

 sistible forces, are to-day very little more studied by the people most concerned than they 

 were fifty years ago. The answer to the question is simply this, " To enable you to know 

 your friends from your foes." I shall endeavour to show that everything which is gen- 

 erally designated by that expressive word " bug" is not an enemy which must be executed 

 at once without a trial. It cannot but be a matter of considerable surprise to any per- 

 son who turns his attention to the study of Entomology to find to w T hat an extent, com- 

 paratively speaking, that branch of Natural Science is neglected by scientific men, for 

 notwithstanding the large sums of money devoted yearly by wise governments towards 

 its encouragement, and the untiring efforts made by individual students to present it to 

 the masses in a popular form it must be acknowledged that as yet it is not studied nearly 

 as much as it deserves. 



Little attention was paid to Natural History previous to the commencement of the 

 last century, although the writings of some of the leading philosophers of antiquity show 

 that it was considered of sufficient importance to receive special study. Aristotle and 

 Pliny the elder, wrote of insects largely, although, it is true, somewhat erroneously at 

 times. They too often fell into that trap which is still set in the path of modern investi- 

 gators, namely, allowing their imaginations to carry them away from the truth to build 

 up a previously conceived theory. There are not many of whom it can be said as of Dr. 

 Leidy, "the most distinguished naturalist of America," as follows: — "In the performance 

 of his scientific work he has confined himself to the duty of accurately describing what 

 he has seen. He very rarely draws inferences from his accumulated facts, and his innate 

 truthfulness is such as to deter him from theorizing."* 



The first book published in England upon insects alone is said to have been MoufFet's 

 " Theatrum Insectorum," which appeared in the reign of Charles I, after having passed 

 through the hands of five learned doctors, all of whom did something towards its com- 

 pletion, and after having taken about 100 years to finish. It was owing to the efforts of 

 Ray and Linne, ably assisted by the their contemporaries Reaumer and DeGeer, that 

 Entomology was raised to its proper place among the sciences. Since their time many 

 learned men have fought hard to keep it there, until now " the laugh at Entomology is 

 nearly spent, and known professors of the science may meet in open conclave to exchange 

 observations without fear of becoming subjects for a commission de lunatico inquirendo, 

 and may now, net in hand, chase their game without themselves being made game of."f 

 This, however, was not the case in the last century, for we are told in Kirby and Spence's 

 " Introduction to Entomology " that an attempt was made to set aside the will of a 

 rational woman (Lady Glanville) on the ground of insanity, which was evinced, it was 

 claimed, by her fondness for collecting insects. 



Foremost of all the great powers in the prosecution of scientific research is undoubt- 

 edly the Government of the United States. No expense or trouble is deemed too much, 

 but whatever advantage energy and perseverance can gain for the general good they 

 secure. Their official publications upon scientific matters are simply magnificent, and 

 the generosity with which they distribute them to institutions and societies, where they 

 can be freely consulted, are as proverbial as the politeness of the gentlemen entrusted with 

 the investigations which are thus recorded. No one ever need be at a loss for informa- 

 tion upon any ordinary scientific point, for on writing to the Department in Washington 

 which considers that matter, he will receive an answer by the return mail. 



By means of the generous assistance of our own Government, our Entomological 

 Society of Ontario is able to put in the hands of all the agriculturists of the Province 



♦ Popular Science Monthly, vol. xvii., p. 691. 

 t Episodes of Insect Life. 



