A Taxonomist's Notebook

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The discussions that have from time to time taken place as to the number of species of insects have had the result of making it pretty clear that if all the extant collections of insects were put together it would be probably found that they did not contain one-tenth part of the existing species. Moreover, this great general collection – if we can imagine it brought together– would be found dreadfully deficient in other respects; for instance, a large part of the species would be represented by only one, two, or three specimens; many of the individuals would be found to be in a very inferior state of preservation, and not a series would be found to illustrate either variation, geographical distribution, or metamorphosis, although these are essential points for a good collection. We should also discover that there were dreadful discrepancies as to the primary requisite, nomenclature. We should find in some cases several species standing under one name, and in others we should see individuals of the same species standing under different names. In other words, the world has made very little progress with the formation of a collection of insects. The enormous amount of enthusiasm, labour, devotion, and study bestowed on Entomology have as yet effected but little towards what is required.
There can be no doubt that the insect-fauna of the world is becoming greatly depauperated; one hears it from all sources. In our own country, in North America, in New Zealand, in Australia; insects that were formerly found in places are not there now. And I often ask myself whether the insects will not succeed in becoming extinct before mankind has become acquainted with them.