186 



THE YOUNG 



NATURALIST. 



the magazines at the time. He had 

 proved that it could be found. The 

 next year others were on the look out, 

 and it was said to have been taken 

 again. The numbers were carefully 

 concealed, but it oozed out that the 

 larva had been found. Bred speci- 

 mens were quietly offered at ten 

 guineas the pair ! at which price some 

 at all events were sold. We had the 

 honour of having a pair offered at that 

 price. It was pointed out that Dr. 

 Staudinger had the species at five 

 shillings each, and some insinuated 

 that the specimens offered were import- 

 ed from Northern Europe. We do 

 not think there was any foundation for 

 this, but notwithstanding these doubts 

 there were plenty of purchasers for 

 Alpina at high prices. It is now so 

 abundant that every dealer has it at 

 five shillings, and we do not think any 

 one should complain of that price. 

 But it was worth no more when twenty 

 times the money was asked, only the 

 rich simpletons had to be supplied 

 before the price was reduced. There 

 are insects that are and probably al- 

 ways will be worth m uch more. Species 

 like Brevilinea, Ashworthii, Barrettii, 

 and others are never likely to be a 

 drug in the market ; and as it is not 

 convenient for every one to go to their 

 special localities for them, no one should 

 grumble to pay a dealer a price that 

 wiU reimburse him for his time and 

 trouble, and we should also bear in 



mind that he may have all his expense 

 and trouble without result, and be 

 willing to pay accordingly. But for 

 the efforts of dealers to obtain certain 

 species they would always be desiderata 

 with most of us. But, surely, there is 

 a remedy against imposition such as 

 we have spoken of in reference to Niobe 

 and Alpina. Our remedy is a simple 

 one. Do not buy the ordinary form 

 of any insect at a fancy price from any 

 one, and do not buy at all except from 

 dealers who are known and have a 

 reputation. Both the species we name 

 were foisted on collectors by persons 

 who had not previously announced 

 themselves as dealers. Such transac- 

 tions as these, and many others we 

 could mention, have given dealers a 

 bad name in this country that probably 

 few of them deserve. To beginners 

 we would say do not be in a hurry 

 to acquire rarities ; fill up your rows 

 of common species first, and you will 

 have some knowledge to guide you. 

 British specimens of many species 

 differ considerably from the continental 

 form of the same insect, and until you 

 know which is which, be content to 

 have aiew blanks in your cabinet. 



TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



All communications to be sent to J. E. Bobson, 15, 

 Northgate, Hartlepool; or to S. L. Mosley Beau- 

 mont Park, Huddersfield. 



Subscriptions for Vol. III. are now due. 

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