FROM MY SKETCH-BOOK. 21 



» 



lads. I do admire the social habits and iearing of these learned Ger- 

 mans. 



I have said nothing of my Cicerone through this, gallery of distin- 

 guished worthies. Erichson is a celebrated young man. He is now 

 Prof, of Entomology in the University, and his name is well known to 

 all students of Zoology by his numerous and elaborate writings. He 

 ranks among the first entomologists of Europe, and is acknowledged as 

 authority on all disputed points in his department. He has a discrimi- 

 nation tliat seldom deceives him, an industry that is indefatigable and 

 talents capable of grasping the profoundest mysteries of Zoological sci- 

 ence. In private life, he is a pattern of excellence — hospitable to stran- 

 gers and forbearing to his enemies, for there are those who envy Erich- 

 son's elevated position and his fame. He and his father-in-law, Klug, 

 are men, from whom scientific strangers in Berlin may expect to receive 

 the kindest attention. 



These were a few of the men constituting the meeting. The pro- 

 ceedings were pretty much as follows : 



Prof. Miiller exhibited a lock of hair curiously anuulated with white 

 and brown ; and this was the text of a learned off-hand dissertation on 

 the growth of the hair at different periods of life — its influence on health 

 — its effect on temperament. It was a physiological lecture which I 

 did not pretend to understand altogether, but I comprehended enough 

 to know that John Miiller, as they call him, was quite a« fait in the 

 mysteries of physiological science. 



Prof. Poggendorf, shewed some electrical paper, and another speci- 

 men of paper perfectly transparent. It was beautiful. He explained 

 the process of manufacture and the uses, and made many interesting re- 

 marks on the discovery of this invaluable writing material. 



Mr. Bouchc, a distinguished writer on Dipterous insects, made some 

 observations on the difficulties Qif rearing the larvae of the TeufJiredi- 

 nce^ to which he had paid much attention. He showed some specimens 

 of new species. This brought out Klug and Erichson, who delighted 

 the company with striking and original remarks on this and kindred 

 subjects. 



Erichson then continued and gave us an extempore lecture on those 

 insects which were furnislied with an air bladder, as Gyrinus^ Parmis, 

 Bcuhidium, &,c. He explained the nature and uses of this singular ap- 

 paratus, and whilst he interested us all by the remarkable facts he nar- 

 rated, he also displayed the most intimate acquaintance with the anato- 

 my of these small beetles, lie talked as familiarly of the internal struc- 



