10 



THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



ject we have in view, but they have not 

 been permanently successful among ento- 

 mologists, though two Botanical Exchange 

 Clubs have rendered good service. If we 

 are able to do as much in Entomology as 

 they have done in Botany, we shall be 

 glad, and we are quite persuaded we shall 

 succeed if our readers only assist us to the 

 utmost of their power. "We hope not only 

 to help beginners, but others whose collec- 

 tions are more advanced, and our ideas 

 include assisting members with informa- 

 tion as to where any particular insects 

 may be obtained. To this end we shall 

 be glad to receive detailed lists of local 

 faunas and floras, especially when accom- 

 panied by notes of interest. In the case 

 of rare species, or those confined to very 

 narrow limits, it will be our earnest desire 

 to protect and preserve them from ruthless, 

 jgreedy, and unscientific exterminators. 

 Guides will be given from time to time. 

 Last week we gave a list, with notes, of 

 the Lepidoptera on the wing during the 

 month. To-day we give some instructions 

 in pupa digging and larva rearing, for 

 those who wish to breed insects. We will 

 continue these papers from time to time, 

 giving as far as possible, a complete pro- 

 gramme of operations for the year. We 

 also propose to refer specially to some of 

 the most favoured of the collecting grounds 

 in Britain, with some account of their 

 Natural History, so as to be useful to any 

 naturalist. 



We wish to make a special feature of 

 our question column, and trust Young 

 Naturalists will ask whatever they want 

 to know ; that they will not let the fear 

 of asking simple or puerile question deter 



them. It should be enough that they do 

 not know, to make the question worth 

 answering. Some of the leading naturalists 

 in all departments have promised us their 

 assistance in this matter, and we believe 

 we may fairly say that we are already in 

 a position to afford every possible informa- 

 tion to beginners in every branch of 

 Natural History, 



We shall have great pleasure indeed 

 in receiving communications from lady 

 naturalists. We know there are many 

 who take great interest in Entomology 

 and Botany, and if they would occasionally 

 pen their observations or ideas, it would 

 encourage others of their own sex to take 

 up a study and pastime that brings much 

 enjoyment and no sorrow. To the prac- 

 tical naturalist we look for advice and 

 instruction for those younger in the science, 

 and from him, too, we shall have to ask 

 for information, and also for specimens 

 to figure, for good figures speak volumes 

 sometimes when verbal descriptions could 

 not be made intelligible. 



It may not be generally known amongst 

 our younger readers that the carbonic acid 

 gas which is expired by a healthy adult, in 

 twenty-four hours, would fill a space of 

 something like fifteen thousand cubic 

 inches, and contains six ounces of sold 

 carbon. When we calculate this amount 

 for the entire population of the globe, and 

 add all the carbon produced by the com- 

 bustion of fires and gas-lamps, by the de- 

 cay of animal and vegetable matter, and 

 the exhalations from springs, &c, we need 

 no longer feel surprised as to the source 

 from whence plants derive their solid or 

 woody material, consisting principally of 

 carbon, seeing that their leaves are specially 

 fitted for the absorption of carbonic acid 

 gas from the surrounding atmosphere. 



