132 TENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF 



profession to its proper rank among human pursuits, and feel that 

 the exercise of intellect, as well as of muscle, is highly useful to his 

 purpose. 



The anatomical structure of his domestic animals should also he 

 studied, so that he may understand the different diseases to which they 

 are liable. 



After an enlargment on the imj^ortance of our domestic animals, 

 field products, and minerals, as sources of wealth and comfort, a few 

 striking facts were given, demonstrating the immense benefit which a 

 knowledge of the natural history of some animals and plants has con- 

 ferred on mankind. Thus, Linne prevented the decay and destruc- 

 tion of the ship timber in the royal dock-yards of Sweden, by know- 

 ing the habits of the little insect which occasioned the evil. It was 

 the same naturalist who first advised the sowing of beach-grass 

 [Arundo arenario^ to prevent the encroachments of the sea, by fixing 

 the sands of the shore, in Holland, and this has been tested to some 

 extent in Massachusetts. 



Farmers and gardeners often complain of their fruit being devoured 

 by birds and other ^'■vermin," as many call them, and an indiscrimi- 

 nate slaughter ensues. It is time that correct notions on this subject 

 should prevail, and all would soon be right if natural history were in- 

 cluded in the range of general reading. 



In proceeding with the lecture, the vertebrate animals that are sup- 

 posed to be noxious to vegetation were considered. The mammals 

 were first mentioned. The operations of foxes, rats, weasels, rabbits, 

 moles, field-mice, squirrels, &c., were alluded to. It was stated that 

 an English nobleman, instead of destroying the moles in his groundis, 

 offered a reward for bringing them to him, being assured that they 

 were more beneficial than injurious, inasmuch as, in their subterranean 

 wanderings, they destroyed immense numbers of noxious grubs and 

 beetles. 



The &;Vc/s were next considered, and the conclusion adopted, that the 

 deestruction of birds has given rise to an infinitely more prejudicial 

 multiplication of noxious insects than the evils they themselves occa- 

 sioned. The opinions of eminent naturalists on this subject were 

 cited, confirmatory of this opinion. 



Having considered the vertebrates, or those with a backbone, in re- 

 lation to this subject, the invertehrite insects, particularly, were next 

 introduced. It was stated, that they are greater pests and commit 

 greater ravages, and annoy the farmer and gardener more, than all 

 other noxious animals together. 



After dilating in general on the study of entomology, and the im- 

 portance of insects in the economy of nature, the lecturer proceeded to 

 speak of those insects which affect onrfeld crops, garden plants, /lower' 

 ing pla7its, and, finally, our fruit and forest trees. 



Wheat was placed at the head of field crops. Here, naturally, the 

 Hessian fy first demanded attention. Of this diminutive insect it 

 has been properly said, "that it is more formidable than an army of 

 .20,000 Hessians would be." 



Its history was given, and it was made out to be an European in- 

 sect, and introduced in August, 1776^ by the Hessians, who landed on 



