220 QUARTERLY JOURNAL 



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manity to spirituality ; from mortality to immortality ; from an 

 earthly to a heavenly form and existence, through the mysterious 

 power of our creator, is opened to our vision, as if in aid or harmony 

 with scriptural revelation. 



Why should we then deny ourselves a knowledge of this branch 

 of natural 'history and philosophy ? The pleasure and utility flowing 

 from a knowledge of botany, are acknowledged by all. It is admitted 

 that a familiarity with the flowers and plants of the field improve 

 the mind and heart. But I think it will be readily acknowledged by 

 all who are familiar wilh both branches, that entomology is more 

 gratifying to the student and enquirer, and more useful to the prac- 

 tical man of the field and farm. 



A knowledge of it is easily attained, and readily understood even 

 by children. The young become pleased with the first lessons, and 

 are made wiser and better by the study. The mind which is igno- 

 rant of it, and loathes the sight of the worm, becomes entirely revo- 

 lutionized and fond of the pursuit. The caterpillar that is deemedn 

 an intruder upon the carpeted floor, or leaf of the cherished rose, 

 will not be denounced and rudely crushed as a " filthy worm ;" butiflif 

 will be looked upon as a harmless creeping thing, hastening to seekii 

 some secret recess or hiding place, where it may safely suspend otn ( 

 enwrap itself, and undergo its change through its defenceless chry- ^ 

 salis to the perfect insect of the wing. It will be seen in prospect, 

 or perhaps within one short week, flying around the hall or garden, 

 eliciting the wonder and admiration of every beholder. 



The Journal, being devoted to agriculture and science, is a me- 

 dium through which will be carried information on this rich and im-i 

 portant subject to those most to be improved and benefitted by the 

 study. The wants of those who could not be gratified and supplied 

 from the periodicals of the day, nor from any other source within 

 their means and reach, can now be supplied. It is therefore pecu- 

 liarly gratifying that such a source has opened through your perio-' 

 dical, and it is to be hoped that a circulation may be secured whichi 

 will give a general diffusion of this branch of natural history. j 



• With permission of the editors, I shall be pleased to write occtHJ 

 sional articles on this subject, which, in my estimation, will be in-i 

 teresting and moral as well as useful. 



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