72 



scavengers and destroyers, and bear a similar relation toNuture 

 that the lower order of plants do in her econom}^ 



The external anatomy of the insect in the imago state would 

 furnish materials for instructive and engaging study ; while 

 their internal structure is correspondingly so. 



The more general study of Entomology cannot be too strongly 

 urged, whether in view of the utilitarian character it maintains, 

 or as a means of awakening an admiration for the Creator's 

 wisdom in this portion of His works. 



After remarks from the chair, the Institute adjourned. 



Wednesday^ April 19, 1854. 



Evening meeting. Rev. John L. Russell, Vice President, in 

 the chair. Record of preceding meeting and list of donations 

 read. 



A lecture on the advantages and uses of Natural History was 

 delivered by Greorge D. Phippen. Mr. P. spoke wnth much 

 feeling of his early interest in the beginnings of the Institute, 

 when it was devoted to the pursuit of Natural History, and had 

 never had cause to regret the occupation of his leisure time in 

 which the study of Nature had involved him. He remarked 

 that the works of nature as well as those of art address us in 

 reference to the useful knowledge which they can afford. — 

 Science is a revelator ; the telescope shows or reveals to us 

 worlds, which are only new to us — and the explorer of nature 

 finds subjects novel to our perception. Nature too addresses 

 us as an educator ; we are to look around us for something 

 more than for the food which she affords to sustain the physical 

 powers. Accustomed to such magnificence as Nature ever 

 displays, we become blind to its details of beauty and deaf to its 

 appeals. In order that the study of natural history should 

 become advantageous to us, we ought to cultivate the '^ love for 

 the beautiful" — that is, study the forms and structure of things 

 — the consumate order and harmony of parts, and the probable 

 ultimate design of Creation. 



