INTRODUCTION. 3 



4. This is succeeded by their TAXONOMY, or principles of arrange- 

 ment, which, after giving its general rudiments, proceeds with a critical 

 survey of the most remarkable Entomological systems. 



3. 



The second or particular division of Entomology, contains merely 

 the description of the insect world, from their highest to their lowest 

 sub-divisions, in the mode most consonant with system and their scien- 

 tific definition. It is this portion which is generally called systematic 

 Entomology, or plainly Entomology, and which is both the most com- 

 prehensive, and most varied portion of the whole science. 



4. 



These, therefore, are the several divisions of which the complete 

 Natural History of Insects consists ; they are all closely connected 

 together, and produce, only by their strict union, that harmonious en- 

 tirety of which the science boasts; whereas, the several parts, considered 

 separately- form but dislocated fragments, each of which, without the 

 elucidation of the rest, must frequently remain incomprehensible. The 

 subdivision of insects into orders, groups, and families, does not properly 

 belong here, but will find its true situation much lower, where we pur- 

 pose passing to the particular description of the individuals of this class ; 

 but as, in the course of the following treatise, we shall so frequently 

 have occasion to refer to the several orders, it will perhaps be consi- 

 dered not inapposite, particularly as it may assist the judgment of 

 Tyros, if we here lay down the distribution into groups. It may remain 

 here merely intercalated by anticipation. 



The commencement of this introduction has already denned what an 

 insect is ; all animals comprised in it may be thus classed into 



A. Those with an imperfect metamorphosis, i. e. larva, pupa, and 

 perfect insect, strongly resembling each other, the pupa possessing loco- 

 motion and eating. 



a, having a suctorial mouth. 



1. ORDER. HEMIPTERA. (Cimices, Bitgs,$c.) 



b. having a masticatory mouth. 



a. Four unequal wings, the superior ones pergameneous, the 

 inferior generally larger, and membranous ; the latter are 

 folded in repose. 



B2 



