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Art. XXXII. — On the Natural History Collections in the Otago Museum. 



By J. S. Webb. 



[Read before the Otago Institute, January 11, 1870.] 



I BELIEVE that tliere are still a great many persons who look upon the pursuit 

 of any department of natural history, which does not directly serve industi-ial 

 purposes, as a frivolous occupation for adults. From my own observation, I 

 shoiild be disposed to say that this feeling is even more prevalent in the 

 colonies than at home. I make this remark as specially applicable to the 

 working men, amongst whom I was accustomed in my native town to meet 

 many ardent students of nature. But it is true, I believe, of all classes, and 

 I think the fact is much to be regretted, in view of the large number of young 

 people who are gi-owing up around us, for whom the pursuit of natural history 

 would furnish one of the most improving and delightful occupations for their 

 leisure hours which can be devised. I hope that the formation of this Society 

 will have considerable effect in promoting the study of nature amongst us. 

 Those who are indifferent to it, are so from want of information, both as to 

 itself and as to its tendencies. 



Irrespective of its share — a great and noble one — in the work of civilization 

 and progress, the study of natural history brings with it, to all who embrace 

 it, its own special gifts for the individual. Nothing is more influential in the 

 formation and maintenance of healthful habits — it affords a relaxation both to 

 body and mind, which never enervates ; it is a pastime which leaves no languor 

 behind it. It is much more than all this ; it is a training for the mental 

 faculties unsurpassed by any other. It is not alone the reasoning faculties, 

 the memory, the powers of observation, and the capacity for methodical habits, 

 whose development: it subserves. It is on the highest part of our being that 

 it takes surest hold. The poetic and conceptive faculties know no nursery like 

 that of nature. The passions and aspirations of the heart of man find nowhere 

 so calm a monitor, so pure and perfect an inspirer. No avenues lead more 

 directly up to what is Highest, both on Earth and in Heaven, than hers. 

 Knowing all this by my own experience, and from the testimony of so many 

 great and good men, I feel the utmost concern that the youth of this country 

 should lack so many of those facilities and incentives to the study of nature, 

 by which in more favoured lands the young are allured to it. This is my 

 apology for bringing before the Institute a paper exclusively devoted to natural 

 history siibjects. 



The proper title of my paper would perhaps be, " "Work for the Institute 

 in the field of Natural History." In laying before you a series of lists of what 

 is wanting to render the Natural History department of our Museum a fair 

 representation of the Flora and Fauna of Otago, my special object is to solicit 



