HISTORY OF ENTOMOLOGY. '155 
to ascertain the insects whose history he gives. But with 
these exceptions, no observer of nature, who wishes his 
discoveries to be at once profound and interesting, can 
copy a better model or one nearer to perfection. 
Next to that of Reaumur, the name of his admiring 
correspondent Bonnet may be mentioned. This great 
physiologist, though still more deficient in systematical 
knowledge 3 , was also an admirable observer of the eco- 
nomy and manners of insects. In this sense he became 
an Entomologist before he was seventeen years of age, 
in consequence of an impression made upon him by the 
account of the Antlion in that attractive work the Spec- 
tacle de la Nature. From verifying its wonderful hi- 
story with his own eyes, he entered with enthusiasm upon 
the study of other insects, his observations on which he 
regularly communicated to Reaumur. Amongst other 
interesting inquiries, his experiments on that singular 
anomaly in nature the generation of Aphides b do him 
the highest credit, and have set that question perfectly 
at rest c . 
In another department of the science this period was 
distinguished by a work which may almost be deemed a 
prodigy. I am speaking of Lyonet's admirable treatise 
on the anatomy of the caterpillar of the Cossus, — a work 
which will uphold his reputation as long as Entomology 
shall be cultivated as a science, or the comparative Ana- 
tomist be delighted to trace the footsteps of Divine Wis- 
dom in the gradually varying structure of animals. The 
plates to this publication, executed by the hand of its 
3 Smith's Tour, iii. 150. 
h Vol. I. p. 175. Also see above, p. 1 60— . n Bonnet i. 19 — . 
