THE 
WEEKLY ENTOMOLOGIST. 
“ ENTOMA QUIDQtilD AGENT NOSTRI EST FARRAGO LIBELLI.” 
* 
No. 5.] SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1862. [Price 2d. 
LECTURES. 
O0*ME few months since it was 
resolved by the Bowdon and 
Altrincham Entomological Society to 
bring the subject erf Entomology, 
before the public. 
Accordingly, one of the members 
was selected, who was considered well 
fitted to undertake the task, and, his 
consent having been obtained, to de- 
liver a lecture an evening was ap- 
pointed and his intention placarded over 
the town. Grave fears were entertained 
as to whether the subject was one 
likely to draw a good attendance, and 
it was with misgivings, at least, that 
the speakers mounted the platform. 
These misgivings were however un- 
1 founded, for the number of the 
audience was very encouraging. There 
were more than a hundred persons 
present, including several schools from 
the neighbourhood. 
The lecture was not a scientific one, 
il though on a scientific subject, but 
svas merely intended to excite an 
nterest in the subject, and so prepare 
fie way for its systematic study. AY e 
ire persuaded that few could go away 
vithout feeling that there was some 
eason, after all in these Entomologists, 
and something worthy of notice even 
in the smallest insect. 
The lecturer endeavoured to expose 
the prejudice which unfortunately 
seems to exist against the study of 
insects, and then, in simple words, 
and with the help of diagrams, related 
a few interesting facts in Entomology, 
gave a short sketch of some of the 
principles of classification, and closed 
with an appeal to the audience to 
observe the truth of what he was 
telling them, in the woods and fields. 
There is nothing like giving people 
a little knowledge to excite a thirst 
for more. 
"We are induced to relate these facts 
in our pages by some reflections on a 
leader which appeared a week or two 
ago, entitled ‘Wanted Entomologists. 
Space forbade us then publishing our 
thoughts; we shall do so now. 
If, as we concluded in the article 
referred to above, there is a want of 
Entomologists, but not of mere collec- 
tors, it behoves every true student of 
the science to endeavour, by every 
means in his power, to induce others 
to give it their attention, carefully 
measuring at the same time the course 
he adopts to the end. 
Why arc there so many mere collec- 
