90 The Rev. Ww. Kırzr on a new Order of Insects. 
consideration, that these insects cannot with propriety be referred. 
to any existing order. To make this evident to the satisfaction of. 
entomologists, I shall begin by stating these observations, as 
nearly as possible, in Professor Peck's own words, and next en- 
deavour to point out those peculiarities which, in their different 
states, distinguish them from those of every other order, and 
establish their claim to be placed in one by themselves. 
. Professor Peck’s letter is dated September 21st, 1809; but, from 
some unknown cause, I did not receive it till nearly a year after 
its date. He thus introduces the subject before us: 
* The study of insects would be delightful to me, if my other 
employments would permit me to pursue it steadily. The con- 
templation of their infinite variety of forms, and the unspeakably 
wonderful contrivance of their mechanism, irresistibly attract 
attention; but the great object is to know, as far as possible, 
for what use these living machines were made, the metamor- 
phoses they pass through, and the means they instinctively use 
for the preservation of their race. When we know these, our 
curiosity is gratified, our admiration increased, and we feel and 
exclaim, * Eminet in minimis maximus ipse Deus.’ 
** One of the most curious of all insects is your. Stylops ; en I 
heartily wish you may be able to find more specimens. Your 
having met with the remains of Stylops in foreign Vespe* made 
me determine to look for it in those of this country, and I have | 
bad the pleasure to find it in a species that is here the most 
abundant}. The abdomen of the Vespe is so distorted by the 
Stylops that I have no difficulty in knowing them when on the 
wing. Taking them with the gauze forceps, bringing them into 
* Sowerby’s British Miscellany, no. ix. p. 94. 
+ Fespa fuscata: Fabr. Ent, Syst. Em. i. 260, 27. Polistes iata, Syst. 
Piez. 270, 4. Ta». VIII. fig. 6. 
a close | 
