1S2 
THE SUBSTITUTE. 
tamorfliosis of insects is yet ob- 
scure ! and how little do we know 
of insect physiology. How many 
senses have insects? ^Vho can 
tell why or how bees have thou- 
sands of workers — sexless indivi- 
duals in fact — and only one 
jnolher but many fathers. Look 
at the somewhat similar anomalies 
among ants, and the curious cir- 
cumstance that these insects make 
prisoners of beetles of very remark- 
able forms. bat is the bond of 
union between them P Then 
there is the peculiar method of 
increase among .<4p/tides and some 
other insects called “Alternation 
of generation,” where several races 
continuously are mothers. 
Now all these matters literally 
require to have light thrown upon 
them for microscopists to investi- 
gate how they are brought about. 
To do so effectually it is requisite 
that the inquirers should have 
some entomological knowledge, 
and as many of our collectors at 
present seem wild about arranging 
and naming their specimens, and 
disputing whom they shall follow, 
we may call their attention, while 
they are halting, to the above as 
a few out of many questions which 
they may turn to without the ne- 
cessity of following any one. 
A microscope of sufficient power 
for most purposes may be had for 
three or four pounds, and with a 
little patience will soon become a 
familiar friend. Failing a micro- 
scope the young entomologist may 
fall back upon a Coddington lens, 
procurable for a few shillings. 
This instrument has as great 
power as many microscopes, is 
more portable, and in some re- 
spects easier to use, because it 
may be accommodated to the 
light, whereas with a microscope 
the light must be accommodated 
to the instrument. The greatest 
advantages of the latter are that 
the power may be increased, and 
the field of view is larger, though 
of course this last diminishes as the 
power increases. Only take up 
the subject and work at it with a 
will, then you will have obtained 
knowledge, and, as our ignorance 
is so great, possibly fame, but at 
all events the conviction that you 
have honourably and usefully 
rescued time from probable waste. 
TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
All coimnunicalions to he authen- 
ticated by the name of the writer, 
and to he addressed To the Edi- 
tor OF ‘The SunsTiTUTK,’ 9, 
Devonshike Street, Bishops- 
GATE Street, London, N.E. 
It is particularly requested that 
all Names o f bisects may he written 
plainly and without abbrei'iation, 
and that they may be arranyed in 
the order of any of the printed lists. 
