214 REPORT OF THE 



In addition to the list here presented there are large numbers 

 of specimens that remain to be identified and described, which 

 will materially increase the number of known species in the 

 State. 



The fishes, insects, and crustaceans have not been worked up 

 and for that reason have been omitted from the catalogue. 



It may not be out of place in this connection to make a brief 

 statement of the aims to be kept in view, and the results which 

 may be expected to follow from the earnest prosecution of the 

 study of the Zoology of our Stale. 



From the intimate and important relations existing between 

 man and the various branches of the Animal Kingdom, he is 

 particularly interested in becoming acquainted with the lorms, 

 structure, metamorphoses, habits, and dispositions of the ani- 

 mate beings which surround him. He would thus be better fit- 

 ted to act intelligently in availing himself of the benefits to be 

 derived from those species that are capable of improvement by 

 domestication, and at the same time be enabled to successfully 

 maintain that influence and control over the economy of inferior 

 organizations which his superior physical and mental develope- 

 ment, as well as interests, require of him. Dependent upon the 

 animal kingdom, as he is to a great extent, for many of the 

 comforts and luxuries of life, it would seem that the importance 

 of a thorough investigation of the laws which govern this mag- 

 nificent creation of living beings, and their relations to man's 

 well-being and interests cannot be too highly estimated. 



In the present advanced state of the abstract sciences, every 

 branch of inquiry or investigation, no matter how trivial or 

 unimportant it may in itself appear, tends directly to develop 

 results that are of practical application in the varied pu. suits 

 of life. 



Many illustrations of this fact might be adduced., and will 

 undoubtedly present themselves to- the minds of those who are 

 familiar with the history of the useful arts. I will, however, 

 •cite but a single instance. 



