Ceylon Coleoptera, Sfc. 



5 



namely the comparison (so desirable, if not essential, in large 

 genera) with another allied and known species, will be 

 wanting ; but this stands or falls with the system from which 

 it is inseparable. 



I think I have said enough to shew, that the disadvantages 

 the entomologist encounters here, or in other places similarly 

 situated, in conscientiously attempting to publish new species 

 may — (his principal assistance being perseverance, a good li- 

 brary, and tact — entomological instinct I am almost tempted 

 to call it) — I am far from saying entirely, be overcome so far 

 as to expose him, from want of resources in the execution of 

 his plan, to no more mistakes than entomologists expose them- 

 selves to under more favourable circumstances from neglecting 

 them. But I am not satisfied with obtaining the simple grant 

 of permission to describe on the spot a part of what he 

 collects. I claim more for the entomologist abroad : — I wish 

 to show that he should naturally be expected, nay desired, 

 to do so ; for although he labours under distressing disad- 

 vantages in some respects, he happily enjoys a proportionate 

 share of advantages in others. It is unsatisfactory in the 

 extreme for an enthusiastic entomologist to be obliged to 

 let his collectings go out of his own hands, — see others reap 

 the honors from them, which are to be reaped on such occa- 

 sions, or perhaps see as it were a gulf close over them, — hear 

 no more of them, and find himself forgotten. For what is 

 a mere collector? Let him display as much industry as 

 possible, he is hardly looked upon as an entomologist, cer- 

 tainly, as long as he is prevented from publishing anything, 

 not as a scientific one. Now, if such a man merely desists 

 from publishing the fruits of his researches from want of re- 

 sources to assist him to go creditably through such a task, — if 

 he suffers his collections to go out of his hands, because he is too 

 true a lover of science not to see the credit in a great mea- 

 sure due to himself reaped rather by another than to hoard 



