426 SYSTEM OF INSECTS. 
If the claim to priority was to be decided by the exqui- 
siteness of instincts and the benefits conferred upon the 
human race, doubtless it would be in favour of the last- 
mentioned insects. If the power to do mischief carried 
it, and to lay waste the earth, the Orthoptera would be 
entitled as much as any to the bad pre-eminence. If 
beauty, and grace, and gaiety, and splendour of colours 
were the great requisite, and the law enjoined, Detur 
pulckriori, — the Lepidoptera would doubtless win the 
throne. But if perfection and solidity of structure, as 
they ought, are to regulate this point ; we must, I think, 
with the illustrious Swede, assign the palm to the Co- 
leoptcra. If we consider these in all their parts, the 
organs for flight only excepted, they seem more perfectly 
formed and finished than the insects of any other order. 
But which of the Coleopterous tribes are entitled to the 
precedency ? Ljnne placed the Lamellicorn beetles at 
the head of the order, beginning with the Dynastida, 
probably led by some characters which seem to connect 
these with the Branchiostegous fishes. In this he was 
followed by Fabricius. But Latreille and most modern 
Entomologists have begun with Cicindela and the other 
Predaceous beetles. I am not certain what are Mr. Mac- 
Leay's sentiments on this subject ; but from what he says 
in the Anmdosa Javanica a , it does not appear that he is 
a convert to the latter opinion. Bulk and strength seem 
the most striking characteristics of the former tribe, 
which represent the cattle or ruminants amongst Verte- 
brate animals. — Strength united with agility and a con- 
siderable portion of grace and symmetry evidently con- 
" Annulos. Javan, i. 1. 
