REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 25 



The groups adopted by Meigen and Wiedemann are retained, avoiding 

 the subdivisions introduced by modern authors. 



The publication of this list, we trust, will very much facilitate the 

 study of entomology, and it is a special object of this Institution to en- 

 courage individuals to devote themselves to particular subjects of re- 

 search. The field of nature is so extended that unless it be minutely 

 subdivided, and its several parts cultivated by different persons, little 

 progress of a definite character can be anticipated. To collect the 

 materials for wider generalizations, microscopic research is necessary 

 in every direction, and men enthusiastically devoted to one object are 

 required in every branch of knowledge in order that the whole may be 

 perfected. It is true, before entering on an investigation of this kind, 

 that it is desirable for the individual to have a general knowledge of the 

 different branches of science, since they are all intimately connected ; 

 and the student can then narrow his field of view until it comes within 

 the scope of his mental abilities, or the means which he may have at his 

 disposal for its advancement. As a general rule, however, the ability 

 to enlarge the bounds of science can only be obtained by almost ex- 

 clusive devotion to a few branches. 



It is scarcely possible to estimate too highly, in reference to the 

 happiness of the individual as well as to the promotion of knowledge, 

 the choice in early life of some subject to which the thoughts can be 

 habitually turned during moments of leisure, and to which observa- 

 tion may be directed during periods of recreation, relative to which 

 facts may be gleaned from casual reading, and during journeys of 

 business or of pleasure. It is well that every one should have some 

 favorite subject of which he has a more minute knowledge than any 

 of his neighbors. It is well that he should know some one thing 

 profoundly, in order that he may estimate by it his deficiencies in 

 others. 



In this connexion it may be proper to remark that the association 

 of individuals in the same community, each with a special and favor- 

 ite pursuit, each encouraging the others, each deferring to the others, 

 and each an authority in his own specialty, forms an organization 

 alike valuable to the individual, the community, and the public gen- 

 erally. To induce and encourage the establishment of such associa- 

 tions is one of the objects of the Institution. It is suprising what 

 interest may be awakened, what amount of latent talents developed, 

 and what dignity imparted to the pursuits of a neighborhood by a 

 society in which the knowledge of each becomes common property, 



