GENERAL OKISMOLOGY. 27 



chief division to the other ; and it is very easy, by a comparison with 

 these, to indicate sufficiently the length of the limbs ; as, for example, 

 we might say of the antennae, as long as head and thorax together ; or 

 of the wings, they are one-half longer than the abdomen. And the 

 length of the legs, and their several joints, may also be thus shown. 



Hausmann* was the first, as far as we are aware, who applied this 

 method to insects, and A. Ahrens followed him, and which all writers 

 of Monographs should likewise do. But it can scarcely be adopted in 

 a complete system of insects (the want of which is now so strongly 

 felt upon all sides) by reason of its too great prolixity. In such a 

 work, the mere length must suffice, but which must never be omitted. 



41. 



This precise and elaborate measuring of the parts has been endea- 

 voured to be dispensed with by the introduction of a comparison with 

 universally known objects. The width of the thumb (an INCH, pollex^) 

 has served for the determination of the length of large individuals. 

 Half that length is indicated by the adjective HALF (dimidius), which 

 is universally used to indicate half the size. We thus say half as 

 large, dimidio minus; by one-half larger, dimidio majus ; by one-half 

 broader, dimidio latins, &c. In the same manner the comparative 

 numerals are applied, triplex, quadruplex, &c. Thus, one-third as 

 large, triplo-minus ; three times as large, triplo-majus ; one-fourth 

 as large, quadrtiplo-minus ; four times as large, quadruplo-majus. 

 Quincuplex and sexluplex, are also, but very seldom, used. 



42. 



EQUAL size is indicated by the adjective ezqualis ; a more con- 

 siderable size is given generally without precise determination, or by 

 the expressions superans and excedens. Very variable size, as well 

 as the variableness of colour, are indicated by the words variabilis, 

 mutabilis. 



* Illigcr's Magazine, vi, 229. 



t Neuc. Schreftcn der Hallis. nuturf. Gesellschaft, i. 3. 



