INTRODUCTION. VU 



fection of the good systems already promulgated, by the following 

 succession of groups extracted from the last work of Latreille, — 

 whose system, alluded to in the above quotation, has been termed, 

 " par excellence," the " Natural System," — the names of the typical 

 genera being given for the sake of brevity: — Cicindela, Carabus, 

 Dyticus, Gyrinus, Staphylinus, Buprestis, Elater, Lampyris, Clerus, 

 Ptinus, Hister, Silpha, Scydmaeniis, Dermestes, Byrrhus, Hetero- 

 cerus, Hydrophilus, Sphacridium, Scarabasus, Lucanus ; thence to 

 Blaps, &c. — which in the majority of instances have no affinity 

 with each other, beyond the mere circumstance of possessing five 

 joints to all the tarsi ; a fact so notoriously manifest, that I shall 

 not waste the reader's time by attempting to show it. Now as 

 Latreille professes to arrange his subjects according to their organi- 

 zation and affinities, 1 am at a loss to conceive why the Bupres- 

 tidcB, &c. are interposed between the Dyticidae and the Hydrophi- 

 lidse in all his works ; an arrangement that the merest tyro in 

 entomology must perceive cannot be natural. Many other defects 

 in his " good system " might be pointed out with facility without 

 the aid of figures, by the only correct standard — that of Nature her- 

 self; but sufficient has been adduced to show that even the system 

 of the " first of entomologists " may be advantageously revised. I 

 do not however pretend to be capable of executing so arduous a 

 task ; nevertheless, as it is possible that others may benefit from 

 a fortuitous hit in the position of some of the groups, I have ven- 

 tured to remove several genera from situations that experience has 

 convinced me were untenable : and notwithstanding the remark of 

 Mr. Bicheno, that "he who is constantly dwelling upon particulars, 

 and following them out to still minuter elements, is taking the 

 opposite course to another, whose object is combination and en- 

 largement," — I contend that the "analysis of species, which after all 

 is our chief business," must conduce towards the attainment of the 

 knowledge of the true natural system. 



It is almost needless to add, that I have gleaned much valuable in- 

 formation from the erudite labours of Mr. MacLeay, in his valuable 

 Horse Entomologicse and Annulosa Javanica, and that I have en- 

 deavoured, though at a very humble distance, and without the 

 necessary acquaintance with exotic groups, to follow his steps; as 

 I am convinced that natural objects cannot be arranged agreeably 

 to their affinities, otherwise than by a series of circles "returning," 

 as the above author expresses it, " into themselves," although I 

 continue sceptical as to the quinary arrangement being universal 

 throughout Nature- — With such views I have attempted the follow- 

 ing Catalogue, the grouping of which may be more readily com- 

 prehended by means of the subjoined tables. 



