NOTES ON CILLENUM LATERALS. 251 



the others knew nothing at all of the matter, that he has a 

 peculiar view, founded on metamorphosis, which supersedes 

 the necessity of further inquiry, and which establishes the place 

 of the insect VII. to be between the insects IV. and VI. He 

 demonstrates very clearly that both the others were wrong. 

 Opinions innumerable are given on the subject; books are 

 written; every opinion, as it emerges from the press, is proved 

 correct. However, some persons venture to suppose, that as 

 the M^riters differ so widely they cannot all be right. These 

 persons are wrong ; for the various characters in question can 

 be accommodated by placing the insect VII. in the centre, 

 and forming the others into a circle around it ; then all the 

 relations, on which the writers so strenuously insisted, will be 

 accommodated. Is this the work of chance ? Will any 

 Entomologist, blessed with reasoning powers, contend that 

 this wonderfully harmonizing of three diametrically, funda- 

 mentally, opposed systems, is the effect of accident ? 



Then abandoning this restricted view of the subject, let me 

 ask if it is by accident that the Septenary System so entirely 

 harmonizes with the three diametrically opposing systems on 

 which all our Entomology is built ? 



It may be contended, and probably proved, that opinions 

 were hazarded in " Sphinx Vespiformis," which are not sup- 

 ported in this article. It may also be contended that views 

 are now broached which have no prototypes in " Sphinx Vespi- 

 formis." Be it so : I have no objection. I should consider 

 it highly discreditable to adhere to views which more precise 

 information rendered no longer tenable. As far as ideas go, 

 I feel some doubt whether I did not once attach more value to 

 the circular chain of relation, than I do at present ; the more 

 important characteristic of the Septenary System now appears, 

 to me, to be radiation from a centre. 



Art. XXXI I. — Notes about Cillenum Laterale and a submarine 

 Species of Aleocharidce. By A. H. Haliday, M. A. 



In the month of May last, I found Cillenum laterale com- 

 mon under stones and tufts of sea-weed on the Port Rain 

 sands (County Dublin), near low-water mark. They prey upon 



