61 



gance and even splendor, and the style in v\hich the hairs 

 themselves are fabricated is often peculiar. However resplen- 

 dent or simply beautiful may be the clothing of the larva, yet 

 it gives no criterion of the elegance of the perfect insect. 



The larva state of insects was the most injurious to man, as 

 in it there is a great demand for food and nutrition. This we 

 see in the ravages of the canker worm, of the large sphinx, 

 which devastates the grape vine, of the apple-tree borer, &c. &c. 

 A variety of modes of feeding exists in different larvee, that of 

 entirely destroying the pulpy part of the leaves of trees, or of 

 undermining the skin of the leaf, and the like. At the last 

 period of the active and eating life of the larva, a sluggishness 

 gradually creeps over it preparatory to the next stage ; but 

 previous to this, there are several successive changes or moult- 

 ings, when the insect ceases to feed for a few hours or days, 

 but again on the accession of a new covering in some species, 

 recovers its energies and increases in bulk with redoubled vigor, 

 of which a most familiar instance may be seen in the silk worm. 

 The structure of some of the internal organs of the insect occu- 

 pied the rest of the lecturer's attention. 



At the conclusion, Hon. D. A. White expressed much satis- 

 faction Avith the manner and character of the lecture ; after 

 which the Institute adjourned. 



Thursday, February 2, 1854. 



Evening Meeting. Hon. D. A. White, President, in the 

 chair. Record, &c., read. 



Henry M. Brooks announced the finding of some important 

 papers, which had been thrown aside as nearly worthless. In 

 a written communication to the Institute, he said, that on ex- 

 amination he had found them to be quite valuable for Historical 

 purposes, and at least for matters of curiosity. These papers 

 consisted of old bills, commissions, deeds, and yarious docu- 



