THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



53 



" Spring-time is coming." 



In the first article in this part, Mr. Gillo strongly urges on beginners the 

 importance of doing a little in the way of getting ready, before commencing 

 to collect. No doubt it is very necessary for intending collectors to be pre- 

 pared beforehand, and many never get any further than the first attempt, 

 because they find they were not ready, their captures were all spoiled, 

 and they had their trouble for nothing. But are there not many who have 

 got further than a first attempt, who can boast of a respectable number of 

 well-set specimens, who neglect most necessary preparation ? Spring is close 

 upon us. Already the early moths are gladdening the eyes of those who look 

 for them. I had the pleasure last week of examining the first captures of 

 our contributor Mr. John Henderson, and even here in the North we must 

 be up and stirring. But are we ready ? You and I, I mean. I know I 

 have written all this before — more than once, perhaps — and perhaps it had 

 its effect last year or whenever it was said. But are we all ready now. That 

 net with the large hole in it ! You remember how those moths shuffled 

 through it the last time you were at ivy bloom ? Is it mended yet ? No ! I 

 thought not. What a pity it would have been had you gone off to the 

 sallows without remembering it. Of course it would have been unintentional, 

 but that would have made no better of it. Had you made your mind up just 

 at train time, that as the evening was so fine, you would be off for your first 

 collecting, and with little time to spare had got your apparatus together in a 

 hurry, how you would have anathematized your procrastinating habits, and 

 vowed never to be stupid again. Bless you, I know all about it. I have 

 been at it this 30 years, and I don't always practise as I preach even yet. 

 Do you ? Only last March I had to stay at home one night because I was 

 not ready, and I will never know what I lost that night. Of course I deter- 

 mined I would never be unprepared in future ; but its lucky I have got on 

 this subject, for I don't think I ever fastened the loose ferrule of my most 

 useful net. But it is in my mind now, and Til have it done to-morrow. Y es, 

 that is it. Have it done to-morrow. Do you put off till to-morrow ? I do 

 sometimes, and I know the folly of it. I flatter myself, however, that I am 

 not nearly so bad as I once was, and I therefore urge upon my younger 

 readers, now when the season is just about to commence, to get all ready. 

 Get your nets in order, see you have plenty of pins, look to your setting 

 boards that they have no mites about them, examine your collecting boxes, 

 chip and otherwise, and do what you can to get everything in order. Or, if 

 you cannot get all ready, get as much ready as possible, and leave what is 

 of least importance if you can. 



