THE WEEKLY ENTOMOLOGIST. 
107 
OBSERVATIONS. 
Lepidopteea. 
Descriptions of Lepidoptera dis- 
covered since the publication of the 
“ Manual.” — There is a prevailing 
tendency among entomologists, as 
among all others, to cling to old 
theories, old ideas, old institutions. 
Mr. Thackeray tells us in the last of 
his clever novels of a gouty, and we 
are compelled to admit, a very ill- 
mannered and disagreeable peer, 
who chose to hold to his rambling 
post chaise, and declined to commit 
his precious person to the more 
speedy modern train. Now, I should 
be slow to suppose that entomolo- 
gists resist the inculcation of new 
theories with the obstinacy of Mr. 
Thackeray’s friend, but I believe I 
am expressing an opinion widely 
entertained when I say that but few of 
us can recognise the discoveries of 
the past few years with that ease 
with which we adopt the systematic 
arrangement and condensed in- 
formation of our leading authors. 
However fully we may be aware of 
the fact, that two or three species 
have been added to a genus since 
the publication of the latest work 
bearing thereon, we cannot banish 
the idea we first formed of the 
arrangement. It is hard to edge 
the new comers into the body of our 
old and first-adopted plan. In all 
such cases we want a thoroughly 
accurate compilation of the ad- 
ditional species, and it is to the 
desirability of such a work that I 
would call the attention of the readers 
of the “ Entomologist.” I have re- 
solved jointly with my brother (Mr. 
T.Blackburn) and Mr. Leigh, to com- 
mence a sufficiently detailed descrip- 
tion and history of the Lepidoptera 
discovered since the publication of 
that most admirable work the 
“ Manual” ; and I have now to solicit 
the support of those fellow-Etomolo- 
gists, whose observations on species 
coming directly under their notice, 
would render them assistance in such 
an enterprize peculiarly valuable. 
Could I prevail upon all in whose 
power it lay to oblige me, by adding 
their information on any recently 
discovered insect to that already in 
my possession. I should feel that 
I had gone far towards the comple- 
tion of my idea. 
I have to beg that any entomolo- 
gist who has it within his power to 
send either description of, localities 
for, or information of any description, 
relating to those insects of which I 
speak, will assist me in what I feel 
certain would be a useful work. 
It is impossible for me to receive 
too many descriptions even of one 
species. It may, I hope, be now and 
then, difficult to choose out of a num- 
ber of gems, but that will give me 
all the more reason to thank my con- 
tributors. 
These notes will appear prepared 
and arranged by my brother, Mr- 
