428 SYSTEM OF INSECTS. 
Coleopterous insect. But having stated these opinions, 
I shall leave you to draw your own conclusions, as the 
question is still perplexed with many difficulties. I am 
ready to admit that some Vertebrates approach near to 
the Annelida ; but that it is through them alone that 
they are connected with insects, is not at present clear. 
With regard to reptiles, they seem to be connected 
with insects by several characters. In the Chelonians, 
the skeleton merges in the external carapace or 
shell ; the Ophidians change their skin like larvae ; 
the Batrachians undergo metamorphoses ; some of the 
Saurians also have their changes : and the Draco volans 
has wings somewhat analogous to those of insects a . 
Were I to be asked what Order of insects could con- 
nect with reptiles, I should point to the Orthoptera, es- 
pecially Gryllus L., which by their noise and saltato- 
rious powers not a little resemble frogs ; and the larvae 
of some strikingly imitate their form b : and of others 
even that of a lizard c . But these resemblances, after all, 
may only indicate analogies. 
a Vol. III. p. 590. b Fuessl. Archiv. t. Hi./. 5. 
c Stoll Said, de Pass. t. xx. b.f. 79. 
