LECTUJIE. 



INSECT INSTINCTS AND TRANSFORMATIONS. 



By Rev. J. G. MORRIS, of Baltimore. 



The lecturer began by deploring tbe neglect of the study of ento- 

 mology in this country, and gave several reasons why the science has 

 not been cultivated to the same extent as some other branches of zo- 

 ology, such as the minuteness of insects, the presumed difficulty of 

 capturing them, the dislike to killing them, their increased numbers, 

 the dread many persons have of handling them when living, the 

 scarcity of books describing our own species, the fear of being ridiculed 

 by others, &c., &c. In illustration of the latter reason, he re- 

 lated an anecdote of an English lady of fortune, whose will some dis- 

 appointed heirs wished to break on the ground of insanity at the time 

 it was made ; and one reason they strongly urged to prove her dis- 

 ordered intellect was, that she was fond of catching butterflies, and 

 studying the habits of insects in general ! 



: The lecturer proceeded to show that the ever-varying wonders which 

 the natural history of insects presents, are much more remarkable than 

 those of other classes of animals. The curious construction of their 

 frame, their diversified colors, their wonderful instincts, their extra- 

 ordinary transformations, their beauties and uses, render them objects 

 worthy of investigation. He showed how extensively the science had 

 been cultivated in Europe, and gave a brief history of it from the days 

 of Linne to the present time. He mentioned the names of some of the 

 most distinguished writers of the present day, and stated some inte- 

 resting facts relative to the character and immense cost of some of the 

 illustrated books on the subject. He paid a deserved compliment to 

 the few entomologists of our own country, and specially cited the 

 names of Say, Melsheimer, (father and sons,) Harris, LeConte, Randall, 

 Haldeman, Ziegler, Fitch, and a few others, who had industriously 

 pursued the subject. 



The difficulties to beginners in tliis science were alluded to, but it 

 was demonstrated that no branch of zoology afforded more pleasure in 

 its prosecution ; and here a general view was taken of the curious 

 habits of some insects — the arrangement and character of their eyes, 

 their motions, food, societies, habitations, eggs, affection for their 

 young, injuries, benefits^ propagation, geographical distribution, in- 

 finite numbers, inexhaustible variety, unequalled beauty, which the 

 highest skill of the painter cannot imitate ; their stratagems in the 

 pursuit of their prey, their inconceivable industry, and some other 

 wonderful phenomena. 



