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XXII. Memorandum on the Wing-Rays of Insects. Bi/ 

 Edward Newman, Esq., F.L.S., &c. 



[Read 4th June, 1855.] 



Althoi'gh I have no wish to advocate the physiological as of 

 higher importance than other branches of our Science, yet 1 

 venture to express a hope that physiology will claim a share of 

 our attention, and that in our great and praiseworthy desire to 

 become acquainted with the diversified characters of organs, we 

 shall not altogether lose sight of the fact, that organs are the mere 

 instruments of functions, while functions are the mainsprings of 

 vitality and the evidences of its existence. It has lately been my 

 duty to deplore the loss of one of the greatest physiological En- 

 tomologists the world has ever produced ; and although his mantle 

 has not fiillen on either of us, though we can no more hope for a 

 succession of Newports than of Shaksperes or of Newtons, still 

 I trust there will arise zealous followers of so eminent a philoso- 

 pher, and that many of us w ill strive to be the jrroximits, undaunted 

 by the longo intervallo, with which our biographers will assuredly 

 accompany their comparison. 



Influenced by these feelings 1 have arranged, but I fear not very 

 methodically, some observations and ideas which I had long ago 

 jotted down, touching the office of those familiar portions of an 

 insect's wing commonly known as nervures or veins ; and, even 

 though I fail to make proselytes to my views, yet I think I may 

 succeed in turning the attention of some of our members to a 

 subject replete with interest, and one which must amply repay 

 them for the time and attention required in its investigation. 



In the wing of every insect are to be seen certain harder, more 

 opaque, more incrassated portions than the rest, and these I will 

 call rays : day by day we are learning to appreciate more highly 

 the value of these rays as affording characters whereby to dis- 

 tinguish species, genera and even families from each other : there 

 really seems no limit to the assistance they render us in arriving 

 at just, sound and permanent conclusions ; neither have we yet 

 seen an end, or even the beginning of the end, of the profound 

 and praiseworthy assiduity with which these same rays arc studied: 

 yet, I believe I am correct in saying that we make no attempt to 

 ascertain their use, to learn the allotted part which they play in 



VOL. III. N.S. PART VI. — OCT. 1855. Q 



