CONCLUSION. 155 



insect is, the Strepsipteron has certain characters in 

 common with a Coleopteron, as Leconte has pointed 

 out ; these are : (l) Hypermetamorphosis of the larva, 

 as in the Meloidw, oil-beetles ; (2) parasitism ; (3) re- 

 tention of the pupa within the skin of the larva, as in 

 some of the Lampyindce ; (4) unfitness of the front 

 wings for flight ; (5) large development of the m eta- 

 thoracic segment. 



It IS time to bring this little volume to a close ; I hope 

 its perusal may lead not a few readers to take some in- 

 terest in observing the habits of insects, their wonderful 

 and varied structure. A high authority in many de- 

 partments of Zoology, Mr. W. S. Dallas, has well said : 

 "Whether we consider the history of the curious trans- 

 formation of insects, their extraordinary and often 

 beautiful forms and colours, their wonderful instincts, 

 and the close approach to reason exhibited by some of 

 them, tlieir effects upon our persons and property, or 

 the extraordinary means by which nature avails herself 

 of the instincts of some species to put a check upon 

 the ravages of others, we always meet with much to 

 command our admiring attention, sufficient in fact to 

 render the study of insects one of the most attractive 

 pages of the Book of Nature. Entomology has this 

 additional recommendation, that it is one of those 

 branches of Zoology that may be pursued in any situa- 

 tion. Insects abound everywhere ; and wherever they 

 occur their habits may be observed, and their structure 



