THE MORAL AND EDUCATIONAL IMPORTANCE OF 
ENTOMOLOGY. 
By Pastor Krieghoff. 
From the first number of “ Natur und Hans,” a German 
“ Illustrated Journal of all Natural History Hobbies,” which has 
been sent to us for review, we translate the following article as 
likely to interest our readers :— 
“ From the earliest ages butterflies have excited the attention 
and imagination of mankind, both by their splendid appearance 
and also by their peculiar development and mode of life. Thus, to 
the ancient Greeks, the butterfly was a symbol of the soul and 
immortality, for as it comes forth from the insignificant and 
apparently lifeless chrysalis to live in the air, and enjoy an 
untroubled existence, so the soul frees itself from its frail covering 
of flesh to rise to higher spheres and unlooked-for joys. 
“And, indeed, their characters are well fitted to make butterflies 
objects of admiration and pleasure to young and old alike. The 
splendour of their colours, the multiplicity and elegance of the 
shapes and patterns of their wings, which, in spite of constant 
variety, are always beautiful; and the ease and grace of their 
movements, as they fly through the air or from flower to flower, 
have rightly endeared them to men in general; while, on the other 
hand, in the greatest philosophers, thought and attention have 
been aroused by that marvellous development where the tiny cater¬ 
pillar, escaping from the egg, increases in size and becomes a 
seemingly lifeless chrysalis, from which alone the butterfly comes 
forth into the full splendour of its existence. Who of us has not 
felt pleasure, even in childhood, at the merry fluttering of these 
gaily coloured butterflies ? Who has not been tempted to chase 
and catch them with hat or net, in order to enjoy a closer view of 
their gorgeous garb ? Even if butterflies are collected merely for 
pleasure, sensible parents and teachers will not hinder the practice, 
which not only exercises the senses, and the strength and agility 
of the body, but also teaches the child to find pleasure in Nature 
and her mysterious productions. However, out of the inclination 
March, 1893. 
