THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER. 
159 
number, position and direction of fasciae 
or spots, iu which consist the distinctive 
characters of most of the Micro-Lepi- 
doptera in question, can be caused by 
this means is, as said before, open to the 
gravest doubts. That such variation can 
be caused in one or two generations 
seems to be quite impossible ; and, sup- 
posing that any influence can be exer- 
cised in this way, it could only be in the 
course of ages, which theory, however in- 
genious, and perhaps truthful, it may bei 
is unfortunately, from its very nature, 
incapable of proof. 
AMATEUR DEALERS. 
To the Editor of the * Intelligencer 
Sir, — In yesterday’s ‘Intelligencer’ I 
see a letter from Mr. C. S. Gregson, con- 
taining insinuations with respect to Mr. 
Birchall, which, as they afiect his cha- 
racter for generosity and fair dealing, 
may be more readily answered by his 
friends than by himself. 
The first part hardly deserves notice ; 
if Mr. Birchall likes to make up for his 
own want of lime by employing children 
to collect for him I presume no person 
will question the propriety of his so 
doing. 
But the insinuation is, though it is 
not openly asserted, that he would “ sell ” 
insects thus obtained to regular dealers. 
Now to those who know Mr. Birchall it 
is unnecessary to say anything. Those 
who do not, I may remind of the time 
when Zygana Minos was in but few col- 
lections. Mr. Birchall went to Galway, 
explored the county, found the insect, 
and in a short time nearly every collec- 
tion in the kingdom contained speci- 
mens. Indeed his extreme liberality in 
giving specimens to all who asked ex- 
posed him to imposition from greedy col- 
lectors and dealers. 
With Zonaria it was the same. As 
soon as he got a lot he sent them to his 
friends in all directions, and many a 
cabinet that possesses a fine series would 
be badly oflf but for him. 
Whether Mr. Gregson, by his own 
generosity, has earned the right to re- 
mark upon others, I cannot say. All 
I know is that I never heard of it. Even 
if such were the case, inuendoes like 
the one in question cannot be allowed to 
pass unnoticed. 
With regard to exchange, or “ selling,” 
as Mr. Gregson calls it, he appears to be 
strangely ignorant of the fact that such 
a thing is hardly now recognised among 
gentlemen entomologists. As far as my 
knowledge extends, the rule is to give 
away duplicates, without regard to the 
return that might be made — always 
reserving the right to refuse specimens 
to those who do not observe the same 
liberal principle. In this way every one 
does the best be can for his friends. 
Yours respectfully, 
Charles G. Bareett. 
30, Parhgate Street, Dublin. 
August II, 1861. 
Self-estimate of Pbogress. — It is 
curious and it is instructive to remark 
how heartily men, as they grow towards 
middle age, despise themselves as they 
were a few years since. It is a bitter 
thing for a man to confess that he is a 
fool ; but it costs little effort to declare 
that he was a fool a good while ago. In- 
deed, a tacit compliment to his present 
self is involved in the latter confession ; 
it suggests the reflection what progress 
he has made, and how vastly he has im- 
proved since then. When a man informs 
us that he was a very silly fellow in the 
year 1851, it is assumed that he is not a 
