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ON THE VALUE OF PLATES AND ILLUSTRATIONS, 
learned professor himself. In fact it is well known to botanists that description 
alone has led to numerous mistakes, which the inspection of any good plate 
would in almost every instance have rendered impossible ; and they are so well 
aware of this, that wherever it is practicable, they invariably refer the plant 
under description to some known figure of authority, to avoid all possible 
ambiguit}^. 
I do not mean to assert, in turning towards Entomology, that it is so difficult to 
discover the specific as well as generic names of familiar or specious insects, that plates 
must be of necessity employed; but in cases of doubt, uncertainty, or inadequate 
descriptions, I contend that as an accurate representation of the object of inquiry 
prevents all mistake, they are a valuable adjunct to the student for the aid of 
which he ought to be exceedingly thankful; nor can I perceive any valid reason 
why he should not employ this aid. Mr. Rylands objects to my former simile 
of ascending the mountain, and I demur to his of the railroad, which seems to 
me here inapplicable. Let me try to be more successful at another. Suppose Mr. 
R. and myself to be examining objects in the same room as twilight is rapidly 
drawing on. I declare that I must have a candle, as the light has become 
insufficient for my purpose, while Mr. R. contends that there is light enough for 
him. The candle or lamp aids my researches by its illumination, while he 
accomplishes his purpose without it. Now in this light I regard plates illustrat¬ 
ing objects of Natural History ;—they certainly cast a friendly ray upon the 
subject, which, else immured in Cimmerian gloom, offers but an extremely dubious 
glimmer in many cases for the cc perceptive faculties” to repose upon. Those who 
resolve to do without them, are, however, of course free to act as they please. 
It is curious enough that Mr. Rylands, in a a foot-remark,’’ appears to sink 
his ensign to half-mast high after all. He confesses that “ I ought perhaps to 
except a great portion, especially of the smaller Lepidoptera , which I am afraid 
no descriptions, however good, would enable the student to distinguish. Plates 
are perhaps here necessary, as words can hardly describe accurately Qhe very 
point of contention] colours so variously and intricately blended.” This almost 
at once reduces the matter into a question of relative magnitude, for if in the 
“ smaller” Lepidoptera plates are u here necessary,” so of course they must be 
for all the “ smaller” insects of whatever order; for surely “ intricately-blended” 
colours* are not entirely confined to the smaller Lepidoptera ; and where such 
blended colours appear, it is admitted that descriptive language becomes inadequate 
to “ enable the student to distinguish.” Acting upon the minimum size thus at 
any rate allowed by Mr. Rylands, all the “ smaller” and Cryptogamous plants , 
* I need not insist on forms of minute structure, Mr. Rylands distinctly and justly admitting 
the utility of the dissections of organs, as so elaborately worked out by Mr. Westwood in hi,& 
reeent work on the genera of British insects. 
