PREFACE. 



the name is significant, or has not already been used 

 by a prior writer. I have always been averse to 

 changing generic names, as it creates confusion. 

 Synonomy is at all times a perplexing study, and the 

 enormous increase of new terms tends greatly to 

 impede the progress of science. I am aware that 

 there are Naturalists who revel with delight while 

 disentangling Synonyms. I give them great credit 

 for perseverance, and can fully appreciate their 

 labours ; but let me ask what is the reward of many 

 anxious hours passed in endeavouring to clear up a 

 difficulty ? anything indeed but what is satisfactory. 

 The soundest views and opinions are often disputed, 

 mistaken, or misrepresented. A paper war ensues 

 to the utter detriment of science ; and to amity, too 

 often succeeds the unrelenting hatred of the con- 

 flicting parties. It may here be asked, perhaps, 

 why I have not given the various Synonyms of the 

 species alluded to in Linneus and Fabricius; my 

 answer is, because it has already been admirably 

 executed by the illustrious Schonherr, whose work 

 is, or ought to be, in the hand of every person who 

 calls himself an Entomologist. Next to the tabular 

 arrangement above mentioned, the present Manual 

 will contain the character of several new unpub- 

 lished genera, illustrated by outline drawings, the 



