VI 
PREFACE. 
u Indeed, as there are anglers who look only to the pot, so 
there are a numerous set of collecting Entomologists , who 
look only to the pocket, and have hardly a spark of true 
love of science in their composition. This is a sad evil to 
the systematic and writing Entomologist, who naturally wants 
readers sufficient to remunerate his publishing outlay but 
cannot obtain them. 
a Your Annual is a move in the right direction, but more 
than this is required. Books on Entomology are far too 
high in price for the many—I was almost going to say for 
any; and if the thousand collectors, that I estimate there 
really exist in England, are to be reached, it must be through 
such half-crown publications as yours, and not in expensive 
volumes, which few indeed can obtain. I have always been 
for extending knowledge as much as possible, and increasing 
the numbers of students; but this can only be done by descend¬ 
ing at first to the comprehension of the many , who only desire 
amusement, and so inducing them to ascend the steep ascent 
that conducts to the temple of science. Moderate priced 
publications may do this, as well as monographs of different 
families, brought out in a cheap way. How few are likely to 
buy Westwood’s book on the Lepidoptera 1 but if there were 
good, yet moderate priced volumes, that collectors might be 
induced to buy, on British Butterflies—British Moths— 
British Bees—British Coleoptera, or Coleopterous Families, 
&c. &c., the study of scientific Entomology might be much 
extended . However, it may be well first to ascertain the 
present number of practical Entomologists, and then the 
problem to solve is to convert them into readers ” 
Another correspondent writes, “ would it not be a good 
plan to have a catalogue of collectors as well as insects* 
