- [1]
- SesiÆ EuropeÆ, p. 18. Obser.
- [2]
- Linn. Syst. Nat. T. I. Pars. II. p. 804.
- [3]
- The system of Lamarck.
- [4]
- LinnÆus.
- [5]
- HorÆ EntomologicÆ, preface, p. xxiv.
- [6]
- A systematic catalogue.
- [7]
- Genesis i. 27.
- [8]
- Genesis ii. 3.
- [9]
- Translation of Cuvier by Griffith, Vol. I. p. 64, note. Cuvier has since adopted the number four.
- [10]
- Introduction to Entomology, Vol. III. p. 15, note.
- [11]
- By Mr. Vigors. LinnÆan Transactions.
- [12]
- It will be observed that in the Mollusca, Radiata, and Acrita of MacLeay, all attempts to employ a particular number in grouping will be found futile, a circumstance obviously attributable to our ignorance; and the only conclusion to be drawn from it is this: that, as these tribes can never be rendered available for any numerical distribution, so they can never be fairly and satisfactorily adduced in refutation of such a distribution.
- [13]
- That of Aristotle.
- [14]
- I am fully aware that this part of the subject is far above the comprehension of man, and felt exceedingly reluctant to carry system farther than the two great groups—animals and vegetables; but alluding, as I am compelled to do so frequently, to the works of Mr. MacLeay, I was fearful lest my silence on this particular subject should be construed into consent. See HorÆ EntomologicÆ, p. 179.
- [15]
- In Britain we labour under another difficulty in this respect, a difficulty which has proved beyond measure mortifying during the progress of the present essay,—the want of a national museum.—A private individual cannot be expected to sacrifice all his time and money in procuring, preparing, and arranging, a tolerably perfect collection; a writer on natural history is, therefore, compelled to travel round to two or three hundred private collections, and solicit leave to make his memoranda. Few men of taste can regret the purchase of the ancient works of art now open to the public at the British Museum; but the immense sums of public money granted to that institution should insure the naturalist a similar treat with the artist. A collection of vertebrate and annulose animals should be immediately formed, arranged, and named after Cuvier, Latreille, or the most approved authority of the day. Among the insecta, I have no doubt a tolerably perfect—certainly, a very useful—collection might with little trouble be made from the specimens already in the Museum.
- [16]
- HorÆ EntomologicÆ, preface, p. xiii.
- [17]
- I have invariably used the term class, to designate the orders of LinnÆus, and sub-class, for the next division, of which seven are supposed to exist in every class: these sub-classes may sometimes constitute natural orders, in which case a plural termination is given; thus, Blatta constitutes in itself a sub-class Blatta, a natural order BlattÆ, and a genus Blatta; but generally a sub-class will contain seven natural orders; as sub-class ScarabÆus contains natural orders—Lucani, Coprides, ScarabÆi, Histeres, &c.
- [18]
- The only question as to the contents of insecta, is, whether the pediculi are true insects or not; the class Hemiptera is so closely related to them, that I cannot think it a great violation to place them in the outermost circle of that class; the acari may be supposed meeting them in an adjoining circle, but I have no desire to provoke controversy on this minor point.
- [19]
- Annulosa Javanica, preface, p. xi.
- [20]
- The learned authors of the Introduction to Entomology have inserted a sketch of the Aristotelian system in that work, a reference to which will convince the reader that it is next to impossible for the entomologist to over-rate him. See Introduction to Entomology, Vol. IV. p. 433.
- [21]
- Introduction to Entomology, Vol. III. pp. 1-51.
- [22]
- And, be it observed, Haustellata merely means not mandibulate; it does not propose to assert that the contents of the tribe so named need have a particular kind of haustellate mouth, or any mouth at all.
- [23]
- Mr. MacLeay has written a little pamphlet on the impropriety of the dichotomous system, whi
Transcriber's Note: Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have been retained as printed. The cover of this ebook was created by the transcriber and is hereby placed in the public domain. |
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