10 
ON THE ABUSE OF PRINTS. 
knowledge gained during the inquiry) concomitant with a consciousness of having 
arrived at our object without empiricism which is far from unenviable. 
It would be no objection to the above if Mr. Swainson’s remark (quoted by 
Mr. Lees, Yol. III., p. 298) were correct, as it would only prove that some 
works, the absence of which Mr. S. laments, should be provided. Mr. Swainson 
observes that, “ in the present paucity of good elementary books,” if an entomolo¬ 
gical student “ succeeds so far as to ascertain the genus of his insect, he may 
consider himself very fortunate.” I am at a loss to know what Mr. S. means 
here by “ elementary” works, as treatises to which I should apply that epithet 
are tolerably numerous; and if their number were doubled, they would scarcely 
enable the student to discover the specific names of his insects. But perhaps Mr. 
Swainson terms such works as those of Stephens, Curtis, &c., elementary. 
And if so, it does not materially affect the case, as from the first alone, I feel 
convinced that a student, provided he had duly acquired the elements from Kirby, 
&c., would readily discover the names of the majority of his specimens.* But a 
work containing good specific descriptions, and published periodically at a price 
within the reach of our poorer brethren , is certainly much needed. Mr. West- 
wood proposes supplying this desideratum if the success of his Introduction , now 
publishing, equals his anticipations ; and I trust that with some this fact, added 
to the real merit of the Introduction , will afford a sufficient inducement for 
subscribing to the work.t 
Bewsey House , Warrington , 
July 24, 1838. 
* I ought perhaps to except a great portion, especially of the smaller Lepidoptera; which I am 
afraid no descriptions, however good, would enable the student to distinguish. Plates are perhaps 
here necessary, as words can hardly describe accurately colours so variously and intricately 
blended. But descriptions might accomplish much if written with the pen of a master; and it may 
also be remarked that plates are far less likely to do harm in this than in the other orders. 
L The reader, I have little doubt, understands, that in the above letter, I do not at all wish to 
abolish plates of dissections , &c., illustrative of the characters of the families, orders, &c., which I 
think not only useful but necessary. 
