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A Few Remarks on Insect Dissection. 

 By T. Charters White, M.R.C.S., F.R.M.S., &c. 



(Bead January 25, 1878.J 



Perhaps no field of microscopical research teems with richer veins 

 of interest and instruction than that upon which I have ventured to 

 intrude this evening, but feeling so deeply interested in it myself I 

 may be pardoned if, in the absence of others better qualified, I en- 

 deavour to throw out a few suggestions that will be of assistance to 

 those amongst us, who, taking up the scattered clews of my short 

 paper, may work them into a fabric of surpassing pleasure. 



The lengthening days of early spring already invite our attention 

 to the resurrection of animal and vegetable life, and, like good 

 generals, preparing for a campaign, we should begin to lay our plans 

 for future work during the coming year. 



With the advent of our summer excursions many opportunities 

 will be afforded us for leaving the busy throng, and exchanging its 

 bustle for a few short contacts with nature in her loveliest aspects ; 

 and while many of our members will find a revival of old delights in 

 the capture of Conochilus and Volvox, there may be others who, like 

 myself, see in their revolutions, beautiful as they are, only the same 

 monotonous rolling as we have ever witnessed, and would rather 

 behold something of that wondrous evolution manifested in the 

 development of the various forms of insect life, so abundant in the 

 early months of the year ; and which may be compared to simple ex- 

 periments in biological science, ready-made to the hands of the 

 diligent students who will take the trouble to look for them. 



Of all anatomical studies, that which treats of the comparison of 

 a particular organ in one animal, with its homologue in another, 

 yields the most untiring pleasure to those engaged in them. The 

 study of comparative anatomy is inexhaustible in its interest, and many 

 amongst us would take it up but for a mistaken notion which pre- 

 vails, and leads many to suppose that all studies having anatomy 

 for their basis should, by reason of their nature, be relegated to the 



