54 



Wednesday^ June 8, 1850. 



An ordinary meeting of the Institute was held this day, at 

 ■which t^yo candidates for membership Avere offered for election 

 and chosen. Rev. John Lewis Russell read papers on the 

 following topics, viz: 



Mosses, &c., found (June, 1852) at Chelmsford, Middlesex 

 Co., Mass. 



Some species of Lichens new to our Flora. 



The probable range of Parmelia parleLina and Partnelia 

 chrysopthalma. 



Wednesday, Dec. 7, 1853. 



Evening Meeting. Joseph G. Waters, presiding. 



Rev. John Lewis Russell occupied the hour by some remarks 

 on the Science of Entomology. He shewed its history ; the 

 probable origin of the study of insect tribes ; its utility to man in 

 minute divisions of civilized labor, in agriculture, in gardening 

 and in the arts, illustrated with many personal anecdotes ; he 

 exhibited the claims it holds in the wonderful and exquisite 

 details embraced in its pursuit ; its influence on the cultivated 

 mind, and its power over the ruder and less cultured ; the 

 array of distinguished names it enrols among its votaries, 

 paying tribute of merited respect to the Entomologists of our 

 own country — to Sat, to Harris and to others; noticing 

 among the best treatises, the earlier ones of Peck on the 

 Canker worm, &c. 



Mr. R. divided his subject into four distinct portions as 

 embracing four distinct periods of the insect life : the egg, the 

 larva, the pupa and the imago or perfect insect. The first of 

 these mainly occupied the rest of the evening ; showing many 

 singular facts in connection with the history of the egg : e. g. 

 its size, shape, color, sculpturing, place of deposit, length of 

 vitality, endurance of change of temperature, hatching, &c. 



