38 
mic reasons in construction and heating and for the con- 
venient proximity of the necessary food-plants, it should 
he an annex to the greenhouse. Colonies of striking and 
curious insects, especially the social insects, undergoing 
their transformations, might be exhibited in a small, 
single-storied structure of glass and iron, like an ordinary 
conservatory, with no more flooring than would be re- 
quired for passage-ways between the plants and shrubs. 
Such a collection would be inexpensive and attractive, 
and without in any way curtailing its public use, would 
afford ample opportunity for scientific experimentation of 
an important kind. Pedigree breeding, for instance, or 
breeding in constant temperatures, whether high, low, 
or average, might here be carried on upon a large scale. 
Indeed, the opportunities are so great that the choice of 
subjects would be difficult, so many would claim atten- 
tion ; and it would be quite possible to display a changing 
round of attractive and instructive sights from week to 
week throughout the year. 
The educational use that can be made of these three 
different divisions of the Natural History Gardens, form- 
ing one connected whole, — one in principle, but varying 
in details to suit the special needs of each division, and 
the adaptability of the separate locations, — will undoubt- 
edly meet the requirements of the present, and also give 
the necessary freedom for enlargement or modification 
needed by future generations. It will be seen, also, that 
the New England element enters into each division in 
varying proportions, as circumstances permit, and to the 
greatest degree where the objects concerned are more 
commonly known, being most developed among the higher 
animals, with which, from their size and their relations to 
man, the public is more familiar. 
