A LECTURE ON ENTOMOLOGY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9067, 30 May 1888, Page 5

A LECTURE ON ENTOMOLOGY.

On Friday evening, May 25, the Rev. E. Best, Wesleyan minister, delivered a very interesting and instructive lecture on " Entomology," before the Mount Albert Mutual Improvement Society. The lecturer introduced his subject by giving an account of the general habits and phenomena of insect life, of which he said there were

over 400,000 known species. He then described their anatomy and metamorphoses, dwelling particularly on the marvellous instinct displayed by some species in providing food for their future progeny. Reference was next made to the beautiful

and useful product of the silk-worm, and among the beneficial insects described, were the honey bee, the cochineal, and the nut gall, each of them occupying a position of importance in the commercial world. The brilliancy, beauty, and gorgeous hues of various insects were then described, particular reference being made to the South American beetle. The different and varied features of the herbi-

vorous, carnivorous, and omnivorous insects were then delineated, with the danger and annoyance of some species to man and beast. After describing the ichneumonid© and explaining the inestimable benefit the insects of this order confer on man, he spoke of the ordinary garden pests, referring more particularly to some, that tax the skill and ingenuity of the farmer, gardener, and orchardist. The lecturer said he was satisfied they would never be able to cope successfully with these particular pests until a special study was made of the subject, and they were able to ascertain the various parasites that would effect, their extermination. The lecturer displayed a thorough knowledge of his subject, which he handled lin a masterly style, and the " vein of 1 humour which flashed out repeatedly, sustained the in- , terest and elicited the hearty appreciation of the audience. ' In conclusion, Mr. Best urged those . present *to make a study of the Various - forms and; features of insect life, which, he assured them, would afford many pleasant hours of interest, pleasure, and instruction. • The marvellous beauties of • Nature unfolded by the > microscope had ,been to . him an endless \ source of pleasure and gratitudeto's the \ Creator from 'hisyouth to the present time'.i Musical selections were rendered ' at intervals during the evening by members of the . class, and ; ati the close a very hearty vote of thanks w accorded to the lecturer. , • •'! i