XII INTRODUCTION. 



to their numbers that are daily arising from abroad, and even dis- 

 covered in this country alone : for if they were, they would find 

 that many of the genera, formerly supposed to contain one species 

 only, have received such additions since Linne's time, as to have 

 tlieir numbers augmented to a considerable extent : they would 

 also repeatedly find, that not a single species even is noticed by 

 him in the " Systema Naturae," of many of the modern genera 

 which are now known to contain a great number, especially amongst 

 the Carabidas and Staphylinids ; nay, the entire and singular fa- 

 mily of Pselaphidae is totally unnoticed by him. These are points, 

 however, that few persons trouble themselves to investigate ; the 

 majority of entomologists taking all for granted that they see ad- 

 vanced in print, or meeting every argument in support of new 

 genera by some sweeping conclusion against their adoption*: 

 and I have frequently heard it asserted, that modern entomologists 

 have run to such excessive lengths in their career, as to have sepa- 

 rated the individuals belonging to one variable species into three 

 genera ! and that it is no uncommon occurrence to find the sexes 

 placed in two ! 



Now as I never found an individual who could point out a single 

 instance of the former allegation, nor have I ever noticed the fact 

 myself, I conceive no refutation is necessary ; but with regard to 

 the second, there may be some plausibility in the objection, as in- 

 stances of such a proceeding are upon record : — e. g. in the delight- 

 ful " Hora; Entomologica?," p. 98, the learned author has given the 

 female of Pholidotus as a new genus, by the name of Casignetus, 

 accompanied by a query whether it ought to be considered distinct : 

 but in this, as in other examples, the mistake has arisen from a 

 laudable desire to be accurate, and not with a view to attain repu- 

 tation by the mere imposition of a generic name ; and the author 

 has promptly corrected his error in his second part. Other ex- 

 amples might be adduced, but the above is fully sufficient to jus- 

 tify the remarks of the objectors when applied to the modern inno- 

 vators, as they are pleased to term them. Yet the moderns are not 

 alone guilty of such misconceptions : will not therefore these ob- 

 jectors be inclined to palliate such venial errors as the one referred 

 to, when the justly-celebrated Linne is shown to have committed 

 similar ones ? This " great master," in the last edition of his 

 "Systema NaturaV and "Fauna Suecica," has placed the sexes of 

 a well known and conmion little beetle (the Cercyon quisquilium, 

 p. 65.) in two different genera, calling the male Scarahaus quis- 



* Amongst the absurdities that I have heard advanced in opposition to 

 new genera, a naturalist of some eminence once asserted that a genus in 

 question coiild not be a good one because the name appHed to it was one 

 thai Lmnaius would not have used ! He might as well have asserted that 

 there were no new objects in nature because Linnjeus had not supplied 

 names for them. 



