Bairstow : Natural History Notes — South Africa. 89 



perhaps a section of a group ; and although this is very desirable for 

 the thorough working of groups, yet, we want more general workers — 

 more entomologists who go in for the " whole hog." 



Beaumont Park, 



Huddersfield. 



NATURAL HISTORY NOTES FROM SOUTH AFRICA. 



By S. D. Bairstow, F.L.S. 



When Fate decrees that friends must part, then Fortune steps in and 

 provides the consolatory links of pen, ink, and paper. Since we do 

 not possess, as yet, an Anglo-African plione through which we may 

 transmit our thoughts, I am compelled to write them down, and 

 reserve the speech for a future and happy occasion. Over six 

 thousand miles of sea divide us, but my mind often travels back to 

 scenes of yore, and I do not forget those happy rambles amongst hills 

 and vales, heaths and forests, when friends, flushed in the excitement 

 of search priority, drink to repletion from Nature's runnel, and sink 

 all caste prejudices and social feuds with an earnestness matured by 

 congenial fellowship. I yearn to feel the grip and honest wag of 

 so-and-so's hand ; to hear " Halloo ! Bairstow, how are yon T escape 

 from somebody's lips ; to sit 'twixt two notorious grubbers at a long 

 table in a local Natural History " pub." rehearsing the day's delightful 

 captures, and discussing sliced ham or under-done beef. Ah ! we 

 value what we lose, do we not ? I have sufficient conceit, however, to 

 believe there are a few old friends who will not regret hearing my 

 " silent voice " once more ; and though this letter, strictly speaking, 

 cannot be included in the huge category of Yorkshire Field-Club 

 exploits, you may be enabled to pick up a few fragments and pass 

 them round your festive board. 



To prelude science, permit me to remark, " the name of Naturalist 

 is a passport into antipodean regions." Thus I introduce myself to 

 an old colonist. Dame Nature is broached. We are at home in a 

 second. " Come and take supper with me," said the gentleman. We 

 suppered, and have since continued the best of friends. This beats 

 Freemasonry, and when two men fill their pipes from the same pouch, 

 you may declare an amicable settlement. 



Verbosity avast ! What shall I write about % You know my 

 weaknesses — lepidoptera and ichneumons ; and, if partiality directed, 

 I midit be induced to confine observations to one or both of these 



o 



