religious. But as the contemplation of any great work of art generally excites in us a two-fold admiration-admiration of the work itself, and of the genius of its author-so a true perception of the wonders of nature includes a certain worship of the author of those wonders. Yet we may study natural objects, and admire them, and devote our whole life to elucidate their structure; and after all may fail to recognise the being of Him who has fashioned them. Such blindness is scarcely conceivable to some minds; yet to others, the opposite appears but the effect of a warm imagination. So inexplicable is the human mind! The moral evidence which stirs one man to his centre brings no conviction to another. Physical truths, indeed, cannot be rationally denied; but there is no metaphysical truth which may not be plausibly obscured or explained away by self-satisfied prejudice. Hence the inconclusiveness of all reasoning against infidelity. The failure is not in the reasons set before the mind, but in the nonacknowledgment of the imperative force of moral reasons. No man can be convinced of any moral truth against his will; and if the will be corrupt, it is possessed by a blind and deaf spirit, which none can cast out until a "stronger than he" shall come.

Here I pause; but I cannot conclude this lecture without expressing my warm thanks to the kind friends who have aided me in my researches, both with specimens and with sympathy. To some of them I am personally unknown, and with others I became acquainted casually, during my recent tour along the shores of the United States. From all I have received unmixed kindness, and every aid that it was in their power to render. Indebted to all, therefore, I am more especially bound by gratitude to my friend, Professor J. W. BAILEY, of West Point, the earliest American worker in the field of Algology. Well known in his own peculiar branch of science, he has found a relaxation from more wearing thought, in exploring the microscopic world, and his various papers on what may be called "vegetable atoms" (Diatomacea) are widely known and highly appreciated. From him I received the first specimens of United States Alga which I possessed, and, though residing at a distance from the coast, he has been of essential service in infusing a taste for this peculiar department of botany among persons favorably situated for research; so that either from him or through him I have obtained specimens from many localities from which I should otherwise have been shut out. To him I am indebted for an introduction to a knot of Algologists who have zealously explored the southwestern portions of Long Island and New York Sounds, Messrs. HOOPER, CONGDON, PIKE, and WALTERS of Brooklyn, from all of whom I have received liberal supplies of specimens; and through him Professor LEWIS R. GIBBES, of Charleston, whose personal acquaintance I had afterwards the happiness of making, first communicated to me the result of his explorations of Charleston harbor, as well as the first collection of Florida Algae which I received, and which Dr. Gibbes obtained from their collector, the late Dr. Wurdemann. Through Professor ASA GRAY, of Cambridge, Mass., long before it was my good fortune to know him personally and intimately, I received collections of the Algae of Boston harbor, made by Mr. G. B. EMERSON, Miss MORRIS, and Miss Loring,

(now Mrs. GRAY); also of the Algae of Rhode Island, made by Mr. S. T. OLNEY, who has done so much to illustrate the botany of that State, and by Mr. GEORGE HUNT. My gatherings from the same coasts have since been much enriched by specimens from Dr. SILAS DURKEE, of Boston, Dr. M. B. ROCHE, of New Bedford, and Mrs. P. P. MUDGE, of Lynn.

To Professor TUOMEY, of the University of Alabama, I feel especially indebted for the care and kindness with which he formed for me an interesting collection of the Algae of the Florida Keys, and the more so because this collection was made purposely to aid me in my present work. My friend Dr. BLODGETT, of Key West, also, since my return to Europe, has communicated several additional species, and is continuing his researches on that fertile shore. To the Rev. W. S. HORE, now of Oxford, England, (a name well known to the readers of the Phycologia Britannica,) I am indebted for a considerable bundle of well preserved specimens, gathered at Prince Edward's Island, by Dr. T. E. JEANS; and to the kindness of my old friend and chum, ALEXANDER ELIOTT, of the Dockyard, Halifax, I owe the opportunity of a fortnight's dredging in Halifax harbor, and many a pleasant ramble in the vicinity.

My personal collections of North American Algae have been made at Halifax; Nahant beach; New York Sound; Greenport, Long Island; Charleston harbor; and Key West; and are pretty full, especially at the last named place, where I remained a month.

The few Mexican species which find a place in my work have been presented to me by Professor J. AGARDH, of Lund, and were collected by M. LIEBMAN. Those from California are derived partly from the naturalists of Captain Beechey's voyage; a few from the late DAVID DOUGLAS; and a considerable number brought by my predecessor, Dr. COULTER, from Monterey Bay. I have received from Dr. F. J. RuPRECHT, of St. Petersburg, several Algæ from Russian America; from Sir JOHN RICHARDSON a few Algae of the Polar sea; and various specimens of these plants, which have found their way from the Northwest Coast to the herbarium of Sir W. J. HOOKER, have, with the well-known liberality of that illustrious botanist, been freely placed at my disposal.

But I should not, in speaking of the Northwest Coast, omit to mention a name which will ever be associated in my mind with that interesting botanical region, the venerable ARCHIBALD MENZIES, who accompanied Vancouver, and whom I remember as one of the finest specimens of a green old age that it has been my lot to meet. He was the first naturalist to explore the cryptogamic treasures of the Northwest, and to the last could recal with vividness the scenes he had witnessed, and loved to speak of the plants he had discovered. His plants, the companions of his early hardships, seemed to stir up recollections of every circumstance that had attended their collection, at a distance of more than half a century back from the time I speak of. He it was who first possessed me with a desire to explore the American shores-a desire which has followed me through life, though as yet it has been but very imperfectly gratified. With this small tribute to his memory, I may appropriately close this general expression of my thanks to those who have aided me in the present underking.

LECTURE.

NATURAL HISTORY AS APPLIED TO FARMING AND

GARDENING.

BY REV. J. G. MORRIS, or BALTIMORE.

The lecturer commenced by observing, that every American has reason to be proud of the exploits of his countrymen in the field of natural history. Extended tours have been made, and exhausting fatigues have been cheerfully endured; the most patient investigation has been instituted, and many magnificent works have been published. Some of these equal, in splendor of pictorial illustration, those of any other country, and the literary portion will favorably compare with the most finished scientific compositions of the world. Audubon's great works on our birds and quadrupeds was here especially cited, whilst proper credit was given to other native illustrated works. The catalogue of our naturalists and their books is increasing every year, and the facilities for studying the natural history of our country are rapidly enlarging.

The lecturer mentioned the names of our principal naturalists, arranged under each branch which they have respectively investigated, including mammals, birds, reptiles, fishes, shells, crustaceans, and insects.

Whilst much has been accomplished, yet the whole field has not yet been explored. Our new western territorial acquisitions almost daily develop new animal treasures, and it will not be many years before the energy of our students of nature will push their researches to the utmost limits of our boundaries. Some interesting details were related of the self-denial and perseverance of our exploring naturalists, whose adventures have an air of romance truly enchanting.

Several of our State legislatures have made liberal appropriations for geological and zoological surveys. Massachusetts and New York were particularly noticed, and a description of the great works on these subjects, published by them, was given. He noticed the proposal to establish an agricultural college in a northern State some time ago, in which there was to be a professor of geology, which was well enough; but the lecturer maintained, that zoology should also be taught in such an institution, for the farmer should know the habits and names of the various animals which are injurious to vegetation, and the best method of checking the mischief done by them, as well as the nature of his various soils, which geology and agricultural chemistry teach. The farmer should also be acquainted with the grasses and forest-trees of his plantation, and thus elevate his noble

profession to its proper rank among human pursuits, and feel that the exercise of intellect, as well as of muscle, is highly useful to his purpose.

The anatomical structure of his domestic animals should also be studied, so that he may understand the different diseases to which they are liable.

After an enlargment on the importance of our domestic animals, field products, and minerals, as sources of wealth and comfort, a few striking facts were given, demonstrating the immense benefit which a knowledge of the natural history of some animals and plants has conferred on mankind. Thus, Linné prevented the decay and destruction of the ship timber in the royal dock-yards of Sweden, by knowing the habits of the little insect which occasioned the evil. It was the same naturalist who first advised the sowing of beach-grass (Arundo arenaria) to prevent the encroachments of the sea, by fixing the sands of the shore, in Holland, and this has been tested to some extent in Massachusetts.

Farmers and gardeners often complain of their fruit being devoured by birds and other "vermin," as many call them, and an indiscriminate slaughter ensues. It is time that correct notions on this subject should prevail, and all would soon be right if natural history were included in the range of general reading.

In proceeding with the lecture, the vertebrate animals that are supposed to be noxious to vegetation were considered. The mammals were first mentioned. The operations of foxes, rats, weasels, rabbits, moles, field-mice, squirrels, &c., were alluded to. It was stated that an English nobleman, instead of destroying the moles in his grounds, offered a reward for bringing them to him, being assured that they were more beneficial than injurious, inasmuch as, in their subterranean wanderings, they destroyed immense numbers of noxious grubs and beetles.

The birds were next considered, and the conclusion adopted, that the deestruction of birds has given rise to an infinitely more prejudicial multiplication of noxious insects than the evils they themselves occasioned. The opinions of eminent naturalists on this subject were cited, confirmatory of this opinion.

Having considered the vertebrates, or those with a backbone, in relation to this subject, the invertebrate insects, particularly, were next introduced. It was stated, that they are greater pests and commit greater ravages, and annoy the farmer and gardener more, than all other noxious animals together.

After dilating in general on the study of entomology, and the importance of insects in the economy of nature, the lecturer proceeded to speak of those insects which affect our field crops, garden plants, flowering plants, and, finally, our fruit and forest trees.

Wheat was placed at the head of field crops. Here, naturally, the Hessian fly first demanded attention. Of this diminutive insect it has been properly said, "that it is more formidable than an army of 20,000 Hessians would be."

Its history was given, and it was made out to be an European insect, and introduced in August, 1776, by the Hessians, who landed on

Staten Island, and was brought in the straw used in packing. It was in that vicinity that it first attacked the wheat-fields, and thence spread over the country. It was totally unknown in this country before the Revolution. Its ravages soon began to excite the attention of farmers. Whole crops were destroyed. Learned societies and agricultural associations offered rewards for its extirpation. The American Philosophical Society, in 1792, appointed a committee, consisting of Mr. Jefferson, B. Smith Barton, James Hutchinson, and Caspar Wistar, to collect and communicate materials for the natural history of the Hessian fly. So greatly was it dreaded in England, that in 1788 an order was issued by government, prohibiting the entry of wheat from the United States into any of the ports of Great Britain. This order was based on ignorance of the habits of the insect, for it is not the grain that is affected by it, but the plant alone. It could not be transported in the grain. The history of the little depredator was given at length, and its form, &c., illustrated by large drawings.

Its character and transformations, and the mode of its operations on the wheat-stalk, were enlarged on. After describing its depredations, it was observed, that if Providence had not provided an effectual means of checking its ravages, they would literally swarm over the land. This insect is preyed on by at least four others, which were briefly described. Proper credit was awarded to Dr. Fitch and Mr. Herrick for their interesting and successful investigations on this subject. The various remedies proposed were also noticed, but none, as yet, appears infallible. A rich soil, late sowing, grazing, rolling, mowing, steeps for the seed, &c., &c., have all been suggested.

The history of another insect infesting our wheat was given, closely allied to that already considered. This is the wheat fly. They are, by many, considered the same; and hence errors and confusion have arisen. This insect deposites its eggs, not like the Hessian fly, in the blades of the plant, but in the chaffy scales of the flowers. The larva works its way into the grain, lives upon its juices, and thus destroys it. It has, however, powerful enemies in some parasites, but especially in our common yellow bird, (Fringilla tristis.)

There are other insects which attack stored grains-as a small weevil (Calandra remote punctati) and a small moth, (Alucita cerealella,) &c., &c.

Indian Corn.-This plant is attacked principally by the larva of a moth, (Gortyna zece,) which penetrates into the soft centre of the stalk near the ground, which destroys it. There is the larva of another moth, (Agrotis segetum,) which attacks the roots and tender sprouts of the young plants. This is familiarly known as the cutworm, though several destructive worms are known by that name. Various remedies have been proposed for these depredators, but none, probably, effectual.

Grass.-This is attacked by the grub of a beetle, (Melolontha quercina.) The roots are devoured by it. The wire-worm, which is the larva of a beetle, (Elater obesus,) is also exceedingly destructive to grass.

In relation to garden plants, the lecturer enumerated the insects most destructive, and the various methods of exterminating them.