30 
THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER. 
dormant. One applicant coolly says “ I 
am sorry to say all my specimens are not 
very perfect,” the plain English of which 
is that all the specimens sent (only 
four) were in a most miserable condition, 
and then he adds, “ Will you kindly 
send me perfect specimens of P. Cory- 
don, which will be very acceptable.” 
I received so many applications, and 
my stock of duplicates being small, I 
am unable to supply them all. Even if 
1 had had any to send this individual 
I think I should have been justified in 
not doing so. The annoying thing is 
that I shall have to return his box, which 
will cost fourpence. What should I do 
in such cases ? and what is considered 
etiqtiette when you have none of the in- 
sect wanted ? 
This morning there were more boxes, 
and several fresh applications. One gen- 
tleman has sent me such good insects 
that I regret having sent away all my 
specimens yesterday. What am I to do P 
It will be both disagreeable to those who 
have sent me insects and annoying and 
expensive to myself to return them all 
and the boxes. 
Hoping soon to get a few words of 
advice from you, 
Believe me, dear Sir, 
Yours very truly, 
Frederick Allgreen. 
OUR REPLY TO ME. FREDERICK 
ALLCREEN. 
You should have waited a week or ten 
days to see what applications you would 
get, — the Barnes family always write as 
soon as possible, — the less greedy take 
their lime about it. 
However, the mischief is now done; 
the stock is exhausted, and you have 
plenty of boxes in hand. With reference 
to the boxes and insects you have re- 
ceived, keep them by all means : you 
expect to get both insects next summer, 
and you can then return them. 
In the case of young Barnes sending 
great rubbish, it is not necessary to send 
any answer, and if he writes to inquire 
why he has not heard, we know a gentle- 
man who replied, “ I did not answer your 
letter, because the specimens were so 
bad that I at once threw them in the 
fire.” Of course if he wants his box back 
he must pay postage. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ‘INTELLI- 
GENCER.’ 
Sir, — A few months ago I formed the 
idea of establishing a Natural History 
Society at , to give young 
naturalists in that district an opportunity 
of profiting by each other’s assistance 
and co-operation, and also to attract 
others to partake of the pleasures afforded 
by this study. 
And shortly afterwards, while pon- 
dering on these ideas, I was greatly 
encouraged by your leading article in 
the 31st number of the ‘ Intelligencer’ on 
“ Local Associations.” 
I communicated my plans to a young 
friend, who readily coincided, and thus 
before long the district Natural 
History Society took its rise. 
We hold periodical meetings, which, 
in the summer, we devote to “ rambles” 
and in the winter to the readiug of 
papers, a monthly lecture by au “ adept,” 
discussions, exhibition of specimens, 
See. 
A Library and Reading Room supplied 
with books and periodicals bearing upon 
the subject is at the disposal of the 
members. A Museum also is to be 
gradually formed by voluntary contri- 
butions, under the superintendence of a 
curator. 
There are three or four old naturalists 
in the neighbourhood, who look patrou- 
isingly down upon us, assisting us by 
