FURTHER HINTS TO YOUNG ENTOMOLOGISTS. 
247 
of being considered as a u solitary” poet , or “ body-snatcher” the entomologist 
will do well to spend a portion of his time amongst the tombs. Dead animals , 
dung of cattle, bones , &c., are classed together in this summary, as some probably 
may feel little inclination to meddle with them. If such is the case, it will most 
assuredly be to their loss. The entomologist who conquers his disgust, will, by 
the examination of these substances, add many valuable captures to his collection. 
During the autumnal months insects are far less plentiful. Dyticidce may be 
obtained from the ponds , and a few • Hymenoptera and Vlialoenacea may still be 
met with. The ^winter occupation described above must again be resorted to. 
I cannot conclude this part of my subject without earnestly cautioning the 
student against suffering a passion for collecting to choice the desire of investiga¬ 
ting Nature. From this results the misfortune which Mr. Swatnson justly 
regrets, u that nearly all naturalists (?) are more bent upon increasing the contents 
of their cabinets , than on studying the economy of those lining objects which are 
perpetually crossing their path!’* If such a state of things continue, Natural 
History may well decline in Britain. 
Were the student to place his insects in the cabinet without any'order or 
classification, they would be of as little use to him as a dictionary in which words 
were mixed in utter confusion, would be to the scholar. It is necessary, there¬ 
fore, that he proceed on some fixed and regular plan. The station which his 
specimens hold in the insect kingdom, and the names by which they are known 
in the scientific world, must be determined. He may obtain this knowledge, 
either bv reference to plates, having the names supplied by a friend, or by care¬ 
fully examining published descriptions. The first two methods are by far the 
easiest—and the worst. They cannot be too severely condemned. If they are 
used, that power of perception and just discrimination of differences, which is of 
the first importance to every naturalist, will never be obtained. Plates may be 
necessary sometimes, and the assistance of friends at the onset may be beneficial, 
but neither should be depended upon for the determination of species. Mr. 
Swatnson has some excellent remarks on the acquisition and improvement of 
the habit of perception and discrimination. a Accuracy of observation,” soys he, 
“ is one of the first qualifications which the student should acquire. A quick and 
discerning eye, accustomed by practice to distinguish differences which an ordinary 
observer would overlook, is absolutely essential. The most perfect acquaintance 
with all the systems that were ever invented, and with all the theories that have 
ever been promulgated, will never compensate for the want of this primary 
requisite.This tact for observation, like every other habit, is to- 
be acquired by practice; and the more it is exercised the more acute it become^. 
# Treatise on the Geogr. and Classify of Animals (Lardn„ Cab, Cyc.\ p. 309, 
2l % 
