371 
On Entomology, 
were placed, attested the abortion of the two others, “ Thus,’’ says 
M. Dutrochet, “the papilionaceous flower is originally a regular flower, 
with eight petals, disposed in two alternate rows. Three of these petals 
constantly miscarry, and the remaining five form the pavilion, the two 
wings, and the two pieces of the carena^—Annales des Sciences 
^^alurelles. 
J. Rennie. 
Article II .—On the Study of Entomology^ as suitable for 
young Gardeners. By Rusticus. 
Gentlemen, 
It has been said, and not without reason, thaf“ few studies 
are better calculated to expand the mind, and gratify our natural thirst 
for knowledge, than the study of Natural History; and as your work 
is designed to be the vehicle of conveying instruction to the minds of 
young gardeners, and lovers of Nature, I conceive, that a rough out¬ 
line of the system, by the means of which your young readers may 
commence a scientific study of any one of its branches, may not be 
found wholly without its uses; particularly as I conclude there are 
many, like myself, not over-burthened with either cash or scientific 
knowledge, and are, therefore, glad to catch at any-thmg which is 
in any way calculated to throw light on such subjects. 
You very justly remarked, in page 38 of your Register, that a 
l| ‘^studious mind would find in every step, something to pleasingly di- 
j vert." Such studies however do not stop at mere diversion, but the 
1 heart of the student is almost instinctively led to pay a “grateful ho- 
I mage" to the Great Author of Nature. The first, and I believe, 
i most necessary study in Natural History, for a young gardener, is 
I Botany; but next to this, nothing is more fascinating to the mind, or 
necessary to be understood, than the study of Insects: want of know¬ 
ledge in this branch of science, is the main cause, why, so many gar¬ 
deners remain ignorant of the causes which are daily producing effects 
.before their eyes; and as Mr. Rennie observes, in “Insect Miscella¬ 
nies," p. 380, the number of British Insects amount to more than 
10,000,—that is, about six times as many as our species of British 
i Plants, or about six species of insects to each species of plant. It 
will appear plain, that not only is the study of such a host necessary, 
but some order of systematic arrangement is requisite also. 
Having introduced the subject so far, I shall next inform your 
readers what an insect is defined to be:—Insects, (from insectus, cub 
or notched,) are so termed, according to Johnson, “from a. separation 
I 
