Foundation of the Zoological Club. h 



No papers will be more interesting than those which pursue the 

 Jiistory of an individual through its different states ; and nothing 

 is more important for the satisfactory elucidation of natural groups 

 of insects, and in many cases io prove the distinction of kindred 

 species, than the knowledge of their larvas. 



. The above, and many others that I might name did the time 

 permit, appear to be legitimate objects of a Zoological Society 

 with respect io our indigenous animal productions. What further 

 observations I have to submit to your consideration will relate io 

 Zoology in general. No one who wishes to be at home on the sub^ 

 ject will confine his attention to the animals of his own country. 

 Doing this, he will acquire only shreds and patches of knowledge, 

 and see nothing in its real station. 



When we consider the infinite number of nondescript animals, 

 especially of insecis, with Mhich our cabinets swarm — the hosts 

 of new forms that meet our eyes in every collection — the zoolo* 

 gical treasures that our ships, whose sails over-shadow every na- 

 vigable sea, are daily bringing into our ports, we cannot help 

 lamenting that these, for the most part, must remain 



sine nomine turba. 



But let us flatter ourselves that the society, whose birth we may 

 date from this auspicious day,* will be the instrument of bringing 

 to light and knowledge many a curious and interesting group, 

 which would otherwise have remained unknown. Nomina si pe- 

 reunt, peril et cognitio rerum^ says Linne. Names are the foun- 

 dation of knowledge ; and unless they have " a name" as well as 

 " a local habitation" with us, the zoological treasures that we so 

 highly prize might almost as well have been left to perish in their 

 native deserts or forests, as have grown mouldy in our drawers or 

 repositories. But when once an animal subject is named and de- 

 scribed, it becomes a xTtj^a ss as/, a possession for ever, and the 

 value of every individual specimen of it, even in a mercantile 

 view, is eohauced. 



It is extremely desirable, when gentlemen, moved by such con- 

 siderations, set about naming and describing the animals, hitherto 

 not so distinguished, which their cabinets contain, that they 



* November 29, the birth-day of Ray. 



