ON THE PROGRESS OF SCIENCE. XV11 



ISTew York also, following in the footsteps of Massachusetts, has 

 recently made liberal appropriations for the purpose of disseminating 

 correct and practical information relative to the insects of that State 

 which affect vegetation injuriously or beneficially. The task was 

 assigned to Dr. Asa Fitch, and his first report has been recently pub- 

 lished. Instead of classifying the insects by their scientific divisions, 

 Dr. Fitch first considers the insects which infest fruit trees, commenc- 

 ing with those which occur in the apple, and noticing in succession the 

 varieties which affect the root, the trunk, the twigs, the leaves, and 

 the fruit. In the same order insects which occur upon the pear, the 

 plum, the peach, cherry, &c., are successively taken up. From fruit 

 trees, a transition is made to the species of insects infesting forest 

 trees, field crops, and garden vegetables. 



This method of arrangement of the several topics is perfectly intelli- 

 gible to every reader, and with the assistance of a brief heading which 

 precedes the account of each species, he is enabled to turn at once to 

 any insect which he wishes to find, and which is described in the 

 report. 



This report is included in the transactions of the New York State 

 Agricultural Society, but is also printed separately. 



A new Museum has recently been projected in London under fair 

 auspices, to be called the Scriptural Museum; and its purpose is to 

 afford a series of illustrations of Bible history, geography, and manners. 

 The Society propose to embrace the following subjects in their collec- 

 tion: Landscape Scenery of Palestine Models of Jerusalem Pro- 

 ductions, Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral Illustrations of the Civil 

 and Ecclesiastical Polity of the Hebrews Military Discipline Sacred 

 Antiquities of the Israelites, Assyrians, Egyptians Tabernacle Tem- 

 ple, Proseuchce, and Synagogues Dress of Priests High Priests and 

 Levites Temple Vessels Musical Instruments Domestic Antiquities 

 Tents, Houses, and Furniture Dress Coverings for the Head, 

 Phylacteries, Kaiment of Camel Hair Signets, Rings, Sandals Litera- 

 ture, Science, and Art Writing Materials and Implements Sinaitic 

 and other Inscriptions Manuscripts Poetry Painting and Music 

 Agricultural Implements Arms and Chariots of "War Weights, Mea- 

 sures, Coins, and other articles relating to Commerce Treatment of 

 the Dead, and Funeral Rites. It is proposed to establish a library in 

 connexion with the Museum ; and also to organize courses of lectures 

 on the topics illustrated by the articles in the Society's collection. 



The Herbaria, belonging to the London Horticultural Society, have 

 been brought to the hammer ; they were the collections of the officials 

 sent abroad, and were made in order that the officers might be able to 

 ascertain the names and value of the seeds which were sent home ; 

 that purpose served, they became mere records of past discovery, of 



