18S5. 
Analyses of Books. 
4S5 
nh.eru/ ? f - drawing n S ht conclusions from what we 
T , That whlC j h 1S a o reea ^le to a boy is generally that for 
Hlnf V*? haS Sp6C f ial a P tltudes > and if these are suppressed by 
d nt of canings from the master or thrashings from other boys ” 
a i^yell, a Darwin, or a Faraday may be lost to the world. 
The Young Collector. 
By W. F. Kirby. 
Co. 
British Butterflies, Moths, and Beetles. 
London : W. Swan Sonnenschein and 
Mr Kirby is a most diligent author. In the little book before 
us lie addresses himself to a rudimentary class whose future de- 
velopment we can rarely foresee. The “ young collector ” may 
become by degrees an observer of the structure, the develop- 
ment, and the habits of insedts, and may thus make valuable 
contributions to the science of animal life ; or he may remain a 
collector, confining his attention to “British only,” givin- 
alarmmg sums for specimens reputed to have been captured in 
the United Kingdom (though all the while imported from abroad) 
and often arranging his specimens not according to their struc- 
tuial relations, but in fantastic patterns ; or worst of all, after 
collecting and spoiling a number of insedts, he may renounce 
the pursuit and take up some other hobby. 
The incipient observer we respedt, and wish to see him be- 
coming more numerous. In the mere colledtor, except he has 
the good fortune to find his way to some district insufficiently 
explored, we feel no interest at all. The third class we regard 
as simply a nuisance, since they waste — and, as far as in them 
lies, help to extirpate— species which have not yet been suffi- 
ciently studied. We can therefore only rejoice if he ceases 
molesting insects, and turns his attention to “ philately.” 
In this work Mr. Kirby first gives a general account of insedts, 
and explains then classification into orders, of each of which 
some characteristic individuals are described and figured. 
Next follows an account of the great order of Coleoptera, with 
especial reference to British species. The remaining sedtion of 
the work treats of British butterflies and moths. The descrip- 
tions ot the families, genera, and species are, from the size of 
the book, necessarily brief, and are written from a popular point 
of view. By an unfortunate oversight five species have been 
figured each twice, namely, Zygcena trifolii, Triphama orbona, 
Smerinthus ocellatus , Vanessa urticce, and Dytiscus marginalis. 
The book is very suitable to be put into the hands of boys who 
may have opportunities for collecting insedts. 
