THE ENTOMOLOGISTS 
WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER. 
No. 141,] SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1859 [Price Id. 
EXCURSIONS. 
We alluded last week to the “ at 
home” subject, and showed how any 
previous acquaintance was unnecessary 
to ensure a cordial reception, the only 
essential being that the caller should 
1)9 an entomologist, though perhaps still 
unable “ to distinguish a bug from a 
beetle.” 
However, we still found a backward- 
ness in many entomologists; they were 
so afraid of intruding, so we resolved 
to meet them half-way or more than 
half-way ; consequently we announced 
that we would “ proceed on a col- 
lecting expedition up Burnt-Ash Lane, 
and would be at the finger-post where 
the lane forks at 6.30 p.m., July 30th, 
1856.” And we added, “ Incipients 
who are too shy or too afraid of in- 
truding to come to Mountsfield may 
perhaps pluck up courage enough to 
meet one in a lane.” 
It was surprising how well this hint 
was taken ; some half dozen old cor- 
respondents, whose faces we had never 
seen, at once responded to the invita- 
tion. To be sure there was the chance 
of making some good captures, and the 
prospect of getting some practical in- 
formation ; but whatever was the real 
attraction, the bait took, and the dusty 
lane of Burnt Ash was enlivened by 
the gambols of some eight or nine 
young entomologists. It is rare fun 
going out with a party of juveniles: 
everything is game to them ; having 
collections to make even a Plusia 
Gamma is relentlessly pursued, and a 
Rumia Cratceyata has to fly for its 
life ; and the same insects which would 
scarcely have been boxed by an adult 
entomologist are carried home as great 
prizes by incipients. 
In the following season we took a 
further step, and announced an excur- 
sion to West Wickham Wood. Here 
the meeting in the wood appeared so 
little premeditated and so like a casual 
rencontre that many who had not ven- 
tured even “ to meet one in a lane,” 
intersected our path as we strolled 
through the wood. 
At this season of the year we do 
not recommend entomologists to bring 
lanterns; but when August is drawing 
to a close the evenings are so short- 
ened that it is desirable to light up, if 
one wishes to make the best use of 
the time. We do not reckon the value 
of these excursions so much in the 
captures made as in the information 
imparted and the practical instruction 
conveyed ; the various flights of different 
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