SYSTEM OF INSECTS. 377 
now consider them separately, and conclude with giving 
my sentiments as to which should be placed first. 
* Orders in which the ordinary Tropin all occur, or the 
Mouth is perfect a . (Mandibulata.) 
1. Coleoptera 5 (Eleutherata F.). Aristotle may be 
called the founder of this Order, since he both named 
and defined it c . Both his name and definition were 
adopted by Linne ; and the former (with the exception 
of Fabricius and his school) by all succeeding Entomo- 
logists. To his definition Whigs in a sheath d , other 
characters have been added ; as the folding of the wings 
and the straight suture by which the elytra are united e . 
Aristotle's character, though to be found in the «reat 
majority of the Order, is not universal, since there are 
some beetles that have neither wings nor sheath, as the 
female glow-worm ; and many that though they have the 
sheath have no wings, as Meloe, many Carabi, &c. To 
the transverse folding of the wings there are also excep- 
tions ; as in Buprcstis, Molorchus, Sec. The straight su- 
ture by which one elytrum exactly coincides with the 
other without lapping over, fails in Meloe .- so that no one 
of these characters can be called universal in the Order- 
but as an exception or two does not invalidate a rule 
and these are sufficiently universal for the purpose of 
pointing it out, they may be retained. Perhaps it will 
be an improvement to add the kind of the metamorphosis, 
which, as far as known, prevails universally. 
a Vol. III. p. 417. b Derived from y.otooj, a sheath, and 
tt^ou, a wing. c Hist. Animal. 1. iv. c. 7. I. v. c. 20. 
* 'Or* to xtjjoi/ (x,u iv koKsu. e Latr. Gen. Crust, et 
Ins. i. 109. Oliv. Ins. i. Iiilrod. v. 
