cmap. xvi.] Best Authorities Mistaken. 301 
even a wish for any thing beyond a very slight acquaint- 
ance with it, is rare, and can scarcely be infused into any 
one not naturally endued with so great a blessing. With 
your museum there ought to be a collection of books on 
natural history..... What you say about the new midge 
reminds me of what occurred when I first announced the 
discovery of the mackerel midge. A paper on it was read 
before the Linnean Society, but they hesitated to publish it 
—thinking, I believe, as in the present case, that the fish 
was a young condition of some other known species. .... 
There is much in the internal structure of fishes that is not 
known generally, but which can only be ascertained by dis- 
section. In fact, the riches of nature are inexhaustible; but 
if we can not discover all, there is no reason why we should 
not continue our search after more of them. The most 
unsatisfactory part of the subject is, to find how greatly in 
some instances our best authorities are mistaken.” 
The works of Mr. Couch and Mr. Spence Bate being now 
published, and both of these gentlemen having been so much 
indebted to the investigations of Edward, it occurred to 
both of them to endeavor to get him elected an Associate 
of the Linnean Society, as a reward for his labors. Mr. 
Couch, in his letter to Edward of the 1st of November, 
1865, says: “ There is another thing which I think worthy 
of your notice; for, as the world goes, honor is of some 
value; and the honor I refer to is of intrinsic value, at the 
same time that it will cost you nothing. In the Linnean 
Society there is a company of associates (A.L.S.), limited 
to thirty; but at this time I think there are no more than 
twenty-eight. These associates are entitled to several priv- 
ileges in the society ; and in order to be elected, it is neces- 
sary to obtain the recommendation of at least three of the 
Fellows, which I suppose you can procure. I shall feel a 
pleasure in signing the necessary application, and, if applied 
to, I have no doubt Dr. Gray will do the same.” 
Mr. Bate warmly concurred in the proposal. The appli- 
