your wishes in stating a few facts, which I fear w ill afford yon hut little information, nor do f by any means
think them deserving publication, as they lead to nothing, unless that, as a spirit of inquiry seems to be taking
place, they may act as a stimulus to engage gentlemen who have leisure, and possess large plantations of
I'ines, to examine into and investigate the nature, habits, and ceconomy of these small destructive beino-s.
And in that case I would recommend to their particular observation, to attend to and watch their progress,
to search for and discover their natural enemies, and endeavour to employ them one against the other, for
each of them is food for some oilier animal, which if encouraged will do more towards extirpating them,
than all the powers which human skill could effect: for I am fully convinced that we often destroy the friend
and spare the foe, for want of proper knowledge and discrimination; and this frequently in the case of birds,
who are very great destroyers of insects. I would advise persons whose interest is concerned in saving their
plantations and crops, whenever they shoot a bird, carefully to examine its craw, and note what it contains,
by which means they would soon gain valuable information, and know when to destroy and when to encourage.
The great desideratum of the Entomologist is to know his insect in all its stages, its habits, and
ceconomy; and for this they must require the assistance of persons resident in the country, who have these
things constantly before their eyes, hut who pass by them without the slightest notice, or even consider them
as deserving attention, though perhaps they are suffering most materially.
I can only add, that if this hasty production gives you any pleasure or satisfaction, the end is answered to,
Dear Sir, yours truly,
A. B. Lam b e r t , E sq. THOMAS MARSHAM.
THE END.
T. Bensley, Printer, Bolt Court, Fleet Street, London.