2 Mr. Kirby on Herbs fs Genus Apion. 



by Latreille*, Paykull, Panzer, &c. under Attelabus, from which, 

 however, they essentially differ. 



Every collector must have observed the insects of which I am 

 speaking, for they abound every where upou plants; but, from 

 the extreme similarity of the species to each other, in all the 

 particulars mentioned above, most would be disposed to con- 

 found them together. There are, however, a great many distinct 

 species of them ; of which, although a considerable number 

 have already been described, many still remain that have hitherto 

 escaped notice. 



Having, for some time, been accustomed to examine these mi- 

 nute insects with close attention, I found myself possessed of 

 several nondescript British species; and, in addition to these, 

 my collection has been enriched by the liberality of an ingenious 

 and learned correspondent, major Gyllenhal, (to whom Paykull 

 was under very great obligations) with several specimens from 

 Sweden, which have enabled me to ascertain many of those de- 

 scribed by Fabricius, Paykull, and others, concerning which I 

 was before in doubt. Add to this the happy opportunity, in- 

 dulged to me by the kindness of our President, of inspecting 

 the Linnean Cabinet. All these circumstances induce me to 



* I cannot mention the name of this learned entomologist and not notice the re- 

 markable coincidence which, without any previous communication between us upon 

 the subject, is observable between his excellent Division des Abeilles (Hist. Nat. des 

 Fourmis, p. 401—38.) and my Monograph upon the same genus. That both of us, 

 with little variation, should fix upon the same general divisions and subdivisions, is a 

 strong proof that our only aim has been to trace the labyrinth of nature; and that, as 

 far as our researches have been carried, we have succeeded in our attempt : or, to use 

 the words of this gentleman upon the occasion, « line telle ressemllance^dans le fruit 

 desnosrecherches prouve evidemment que la Nature, qui est une, a et£ patre guide." (Hist. 

 Nat. gen. et partic. des CrustacSs et des Insect es, torn. iii. p. 36*9—371. note 1, where 

 see our respective methods compared.) 



hope 



