1‘28 
THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER. 
Still I was able to supply about three 
dozen applicants with larvae, besides 
some among whom I divided at the last 
a few larvie which I had reserved for 
myself, sending two or three to each, in 
order that they might become acquainted 
with them. I made a list of all the ap- 
plications as they arrived, noting the kind 
of box sent, its state, and the amount of 
return postage enclosed. Those who sent 
useful boxes were supplied, in their turn, 
as soon as was possible. The damaged 
boxes were put on one side uutil I had 
leisure to write to their owners. I give a 
few extracts from my list, to show the 
want of thought displayed by some, and 
the misfortuue suffered by others : — 
No. 1. One of Gardner’s corked boxes, 
broken to pieces, and Ad. 
No. 8. Chip box, 1^ inch diameter, 
crushed, and Id. With respect to 
this box I have received two 
letters, the last one most peremp- 
tory, demanding an answer by re- 
turn of post, to account for the 
insects not having been received. 
I am sorry I have not yet been 
able to send Mr. P. Steer the in- 
formation he requires, as I gave 
the preference to those who were 
more courteous in their tone. 
No. 9. Chip toy-box, bottom out. 
No. 25. Turned wood pill-box, smashed. 
No. 27. A paper case, endorsed and 
redolent of “ Bremen Bird’s-eye,” 
squashed flat. 
I will not quote more, suffice it to say 
that no less than fourteen boxes arrived 
utterly useless. Besides the above, here 
are examples of another class: — 
No. 19. A tin box, and Ad. did not 
prepay his letter, so I had to pay 
8 d . — an expensive “ party.” 
No. 31. A corked box, and letter so 
pasted up as to be almost illegible, 
name and address quite so. 
No. 56. A thin deal box, smashed, 
three sides lost, 2d., and a note 
asking for E. Lancstris (my offer 
was of Trifulii), and saying he 
has sent larva: of Chi. Collectors 
in the G. P. 0. had better look 
out. . 
Another large class of applicants re- 
quested answers before sending boxes ; 
to these I must apologise for not having 
sent answers until all my larvae were 
gone. I could not help it; my time was 
so occupied by more important matters 
that I was obliged to coniine myself to 
sending larvae to those who sent proper 
boxes, and of these I was able to supply 
all except a very few whose boxes and 
stamps I have returned, paying the 
postage myself. I have made these re- 
marks in order to show that it is rather 
hard upon those who, like me, are willing 
to assist the “ town mice” to the utmost, 
but who are not disposed to waste our 
time in needless correspondence, to be 
inundated every time one offers insects 
by a mass of broken boxes, with the obli- 
gation of returning the postage and 
writing to explain. It would be a great 
thing if those who wish to avail them- 
selves of this useful system of exchange 
would fix upon a pattern box (amongst 
those seut me were some first-rate ones), 
which should be safe in the post, and by 
uniformity save one from the time and 
trouble of doing up the square, round, 
oblong, oval and no-shaped boxes which 
now disfigure one’s breakfast-table. The 
principle of exchanging is a good one, 
but it is rendered intolerable by the need- 
less labour caused by its being so badly 
carried out. If sound boxes were sent, 
I would always gladly help my brother 
collectors, and I shall hope to hear of 
some pattern box being put forth “by 
authority” for the young hands to adopt. 
At present I can only say of exchange, 
“ ‘ Its a good game,’ as the hoop said to 
the stick, ‘only 1 get all the licks!’” — 
Rev. W. H. Hawker, Green Hook, 
Homdean, Hants; July A. 
Printed and published by Edward Nkwman, 
Printer, ol'No.il, Devonshire Street, Bishops- 
cate Without, London, in the County of 
Middlesex. — Saturday, July 18, 1 8SU. 
