THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER. 
37 
their views concerning this Examination, 
I now venture to address you on the 
point. It seems to me that the objection 
against having an examination open for 
those under twenty, is almost as great as 
against having it open for all who may 
like to compete. Take my case for in- 
stance. I ain nineteen, and am but a 
novice on the subject of Entomology, as 
I only began this year. Well, I have 
already collected specimens of about 
forty different Lepidoptera, and am en- 
deavouring to study the subject properly, 
using your ‘Manual’ and other books. 
What chance, however, should I have 
next year against those who have been 
studying it for some years? How many 
years? Why, even against those who 
have only studied it three or four. Would 
it not be a better plan to limit it in some 
way to the length of time of study, — say 
live years, — then all would have an equal 
chance ; or, if that does not meet with 
approbation, make it a longer or shorter 
time of study, as you please; or even 
have two examinations for different 
periods of study. This at least will be 
fair. Now you can make any limit you 
like to this (if necessary) by naming an 
age, twenty-five or thirty, over which one 
may not compete, but do not, I pray, 
name any age without reference to the 
time of study, and name an age that 
would permit certainly those who are 
only now twenty to have their five or ten 
years’ study. The only difficulty is some 
guarantee of the lime the candidate has 
studied the subject, but surely gentlemen 
can be trusted to give their word on the 
point, or can get their friends to certify 
to it. After the five years, however, all 
difficulty can be avoided by enjoining 
on those who are now beginning to keep 
diaries for inspection at the Examination. 
This will have a manifold advantage, as 
it will mark the time they have been col- 
lecting, as well as the progress they have 
made, besides impressing what they learn 
on their memories. These diaries, with a 
list of what they have collected, might 
also be made to bear a part in the result 
of the Examination. 
Hoping that you will take this into 
consideration, as I am going to ento- 
mologise for health’s sake, — to be in the 
air as much as possible, — and would like 
to have a chance of competing some day, 
and also hoping that you will not scorn 
this, as I am but a beginner. 
I remain, Sir, 
Yours truly, 
O. 
Rugby, April 19. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ‘INTELLI- 
GENCER.’ 
Sir, — 1 think the letter of “X. Y.,” in 
your last number, is more calculated to 
show the want of an Examination in 
Entomology than that “ the thing is im- 
possible.” If he knows little about the 
antennas, less about the palpi, and nothing 
at all about the mouths of the different 
species, would not the idea of an exami- 
nation stimulate him to reach the stan- 
dard required by the examiners? If he 
is really studying Entomology in earnest, 
I presume he does not always intend to 
be ignorant of the habits of the different 
species. 
X. Y.’s letter may perhaps intimidate 
some beginners in the Science, but when 
they have collected for five years, if they 
apply themselves moderately to the study 
of the different families, I think they 
will not plead ignorance as a reason why 
there should not be an Examination. 
Wishing you success in your efforts 
to establish an Examination in Ento- 
mology. 
I remain, 
Yours truly, 
T. Thompson. 
Worcester, April 20. 
