A SHOltT SKKTCH OF ENTOMOLOGICAL SERIAL LITEUATUKE IN BKITAIN. 57 



systems of classification that have from time to time been brought out, 

 have been nearly always based upon imaginal structure ; the earlier 

 stages of the insects, until quite recently, were greatly overlooked. Some 

 of the earlier writers certainly paid considerable attention to larvse, 

 and this was a step in the right direction. For instance, Denis and 

 Schiffernniller (1776), in the Lfjiidaptera of Vienna. But even in the 

 few cases where larva; were utilised in classification, it was the adult 

 larvie that were examined. Any system of classification which is based 

 upon imaginal structure alone is sure to lead to error. Latterly, 

 another branch of entomological literature has sprung up, and, by it, 

 the true relationship of species is sought by examining and comparing 

 the whole life-history of the insect, from the qqq just laid to the com- 

 pletion of the cycle by the laying of another set of eggs by the imago. 

 The consequence of this more scientific entomology is that in this, as 

 in all other sciences, the "Specialist" has been developed; indeed, 

 the " Scarabee " of Oliver Wendell Holmes is no longer a caricature, 

 but a portrait. Magazine articles of recent years also show this 

 tendency. For example : such articles as " The Genus Acromjcta and 

 its Allies " (T. A. Chapman), " The Xanthias " (J. W. Tutt), " The 

 •early stages of Xejitieulai' " (Dr. Wood), etc. From the host of 

 specialists now at work, generalisations on a sound basis may be formed 

 and in fact are now forming, and although it may appear at first sight 

 to be making " confusion worse confounded " to have to unlearn much 

 that we have been taught by our former masters in our science, we 

 must remember that the words of Tennyson, " The old order changeth, 

 yielding place to new," applies as much to entomology as it does to 

 other matters, and that the end and aim of all science should be Truth. 

 Latterly, the spread of evolutionary ideas, with their influence on all 

 scientific thought, has directed entomological literature into an 

 •entirely new channel ; and, guided by this light, the true relationship 

 of species is sought. What is said of entomology applies to all 

 branches of natural history. The Linnean system of botanical 

 classification which we learned in our boyhood, though wonderfully 

 ingenious, has long since given way to what is styled the natural 

 arrangement ; while the conchologist no longer classifies the animals 

 he studies by the secretions they exude. The periodical literature 

 ■of entomology has played an important part in the progress of the 

 science, and, more than anything else, has helped to make it a popular 

 study ; and a few words must be devoted to it in order to make my 

 sketch of our literature at all complete. 



Like everything else, it was not brought to its present state at 

 •once, but grew up gradually. Stephens' Illustrations, and Curtis' 

 British Li'piiloptera were issued in parts at intervals, and such general 

 works as the Annals and Maifozine of Natural Uistiinj had appeared; 

 but the first publication that could properly be called " periodical " 

 was the Kutonndotiisfs Annual, the first volume of which appeared at 

 Christmas, 1H54-5. This publication, edited by the late IL T. Staint<m, 

 proposed to give systematic notices of all the new species found in 

 this country in the past year, and, at the same time, to intimate 

 which once rare sjiecies had been taken in plenty. The volume gave 

 an account of the Lepidoptera discovered in Britain subsequent to the 

 publicaticm of Stephens' Illustrations in 1835, of Hymenoptera, since 

 Kirby's Munograplda, and Shuckard's J'ossorial lli/uwuojitera and of 



