On supporting science journalism
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While this branch of zoology is making wonderful progress in the hands of our transatlantic neighbors, there is no science, perhaps, in America, which meets with so many enemies who calumniate and try to degrade it, denying its utility, and representing it as a puerile and barren pursuit. There are some individuals who, if an immediate answer is not given to their query, cui 6omo ? at once conclude it unanswerable. Such utilitarians consider what is beyond their own limited vision superfluous. The Creator has stamped everything good, and if this age would be called scientific, it must, like the mind of Bacon, in sweeping over the field of universal science, examine every rivulet as well as the imposing cataract. The numerous family, coming in the province of entomology, comprise both foes and friends to man. They are capable of producing famine, pestilence, and disease. The productions of the earth, domestic animals, and even man himself are often a prey to this formidable enemy. The lion may destroy an individual, but the weavil may depopulate a city. Now to successfully oppose we must know the character of an enemy. Practically considered, therefore, it is for our interest to acquaint ourselves with this science. To some insects, on the other hand, we are uuder the weightiest obligations. To the bee we owe our most delicious sweet; to the silkworm our most beautiful apparel; to the cochineal our richest dye. They consume animal and vegetable matter suffering decomposition; they are agents in the fructification of plants, whose organization and transformation offer an extensive field to the physiologist.— Vaccination is also indebted to entomology. Aside from usefulnes, it has beauty and elevation. No part of creation exhibits so much perfection in so small a space. Their variety ot action and consummate adaptation of parts bespeak the wisdom and power of Deity ; to the ant and the bee we turn tor examples of industry and economy, of harmony and order. Comparatively little is known of the insects of the United States, although we have motions to actuate us beyond those of any other nation, and it is the duty of scientific journals to display its advantages and diffuse a more liberal knowledge of those myriad beings which, of themselves, constitute a living world. A wide field for discovery is opened to the amateur of strong mind and persevering research. J. O
