30 On the present state of Zoology. 



gaged alone two-thirds of the European Entomologists. We are in- 

 clined to think that there is no longer any ground for such an asser- 

 tion. Sure enough in this country, whatever may have been the case 

 formerly, it is now otherwise, Judging from the elaborate memoirs 

 which] have appeared lately, in illustration of some of the most mi- 

 nute and obscure families in different oi'ders, it would seem as if each 

 order had its own admirers, and as if they were all in the way to a 

 progressive development of their contents. There is further a de- 

 sire manifested to study certain groups which in bygone days the 

 Entomologist seemed to think beneath his notice ; as well as to ex- 

 tend inquiry to all the other classes of the Annulosa. We need only 

 refer in illustration of this remark, to Mr Templeton's recently pub- 

 lished memoir on the Thysanura of Ireland * — to Dr Johnston's on 

 the Myriapoda of Berwickshire y — and to sundry memoirs on the 

 Crustacea of the British Islands, to one especially on the Entomo- 

 straca by Mr Baird, ^ which we believe to be nearly the first attempt 

 that was ever put forward in this country to investigate the native 

 species of this very interesting group. We hail these essays as indi- 

 cating a very different spirit from that which prevailed amongst us a 

 few years back. They lead us to anticipate the day, in which there 

 will be found no lack of labourers willing to enter upon any portion 

 of that immense field which Zoology presents to us, and which re- 

 quires to be explored in its very darkest recesses, before we can make 

 much approximation to the exact plan upon which it has been map- 

 ped and laid out by the Great Author of Nature. 



It is encouraging to those who engage in the pursuit of Natural 

 History, to think — that, however restricted may be their situation 

 or circumstances, however limited their opportunities and means of 

 observation, they have it in their power to do something for the ad- 

 vancement of this science. They have only to direct their researches 

 with care and accuracy, with patience, § with judgment, and with a 

 never-failing regard for truth. Let them do this, and it matters not 

 what department they take up. They may select any group, which 

 they consider as best adapted to their means of study, or to which 

 their inclination prompts them most strongly. It is, indeed, not easy 

 to estimate the advantages that would accrue, if each individual were 



* Entomol. Trans, part 2, p. 89. 



f Loud. Mag. of Nat. Hist. vol. viii p. 486. 



\ Proceed, of Berwieksh. Nat. Club. p. 95. 



§ We have a striking instance of patience exemplified in Ehreuberg, who, 

 we are told, was ten years in conducting his experiments, before he succeeded 

 in selecting a fit colouring matter to serve as nutriment for the Infusoria — -See 

 Edinb. New Phil. Journ. 1831, p. 209. 



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