100 BIOLOGY AND ITS MAKERS 
Nevertheless, the work of Straus-Diirckheim is conceived 
in a different spirit, and is the first serious attempt to make 
insect anatomy broadly comparative. 
Comment.—Such researches as those of Swammerdam, 
Lyonet, and Straus-Diirckheim represent a phase in the 
progress of the study of nature. Perhaps their chief value 
lies in the fact that they embody the idea of critical observa- 
tion. As examples of faithful, accurate observations the re- 
searches helped to bring about that close study which is our 
only means of getting at basal facts. These men were all 
enlisted in the crusade against superficial observation. This 
had to have its beginning, and when we witness it in its early 
stages, before the researches have become illuminated by great 
ideas, the prodigious effort involved in the detailed researches 
may seem to be poorly expended labor. Nevertheless, though 
the writings of these pioneers have become obsolete, their 
work was of importance in helping to lift observations upon 
nature to a higher level. 
Dufour.—Léon Dufour extended the work of Straus- 
Diirckheim by publishing, between 1831 and 1834, researches 
upon the anatomy and physiology of different families of 
insects. His aim was to found a general science of insect 
anatomy. That he was unsuccessful in accomplishing this 
was owing partly to the absence of embryology and histology 
from his method of study. 
Newport.—The thing most needed now was not greater 
devotion to details and a willingness to work, but a broaden- 
ing of the horizon of ideas. ‘This arrived in the Englishman 
Newport, who was remarkable not only for his skill as a 
dissector, but for his recognition of the importance of embry- 
ology in elucidating the problems of structure. His article 
“Insecta” in Todd’s Cyclopedia of Anatomy and Physiol- 
ogy, in 1841, and his papers in the Philosophical Transac- 
tions of the Royal Society contain this new kind of research. 
