218 
THE WEEKLY ENTOMOLOGIST. 
in our mental preparation more 
keenly than is possible where the 
way is paved for us. A specific 
knowledge is a poor basis for dis- 
covery, and to found a system of 
classification upon suck a knowledge 
would be like beginning a bouse by 
building the roof. 
W e are ready to admit that this 
more useful, though, perhaps, less 
attractive species of study, requires 
the impetus, in most cases, of self- 
dependence, for its development. 
Throw a man alone to work out 
specific characteristics and distinct- 
ions, and he must base his research 
on a practical acquaintance, with 
wide and general lines of separation. 
These will narrow, by degrees ; the 
first great principles of division will 
sub-divide into minor and less im- 
portant ones, till the primary confu- 
sion disappears bodily. What 
should we say of a tutor who mixed 
up the nouns, adjectives, and verbs 
of the Latin grammar, indiscrimi- 
nately ; and because each noun was 
separated, and each verb was seen 
to be distinct, passed over the 
original and leading separations as 
worthless ? And yet in the lessons 
that we learn daily of species and 
specific forms, wc seldom heed what 
ought to be the foundation of all 
minor labours. 
The means are, perhaps, more 
elaborate for the attainment of such 
results as wc propose; but the ends 
arc undoubtedly far more valuable 
when once we have reached them. 
We gain in two ways — in the dis- 
tinct and tangible profit of present 
information acquired, and in a wider 
and moi'e certain prospect of some- 
thing whereby we may grapple 
future difficulties. 
Certainly our great touchstone of 
success lies in the abandonment of 
all restricted discovery. When we 
leam, with our eyes, something of a 
species which stands directly under 
our observation, we have the oppor- 
tunity of extending our knowledge 
far wider by inference, and of build- 
ing for ourselves a system, which 
shall serve as a future guide. 
The Weekly Entomologist may be 
obtained from Mr. T. or Mr. J. B. 
Blackburn, the Yews, Woodford, 
London, N.E., by post, price Three 
Shillings and Three-pence per 
quarter, prepaid. 
Also of C. Andrew, 129, High 
Street, Cheltenham ; T. Brown, 2, 
Collingate, York ; J. E. Robson, 
Olive Street, Hartlepool ; T. Cookk, 
Naturalist, 513, New Oxford Street, 
London. 
Those who make any discovery, 
or capture of a rare species, or 
observation of general interest, are 
requested to communicate at once a 
notice of the same to Mr. T. or Mr. 
J. B. Blackburn, at Woodford. 
Booksellers willing to undertake 
the agency in their respective neigh- 
bourhoods are requested to com- 
municate with the same gentlemen. 
