INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. ' 77 



that he has done the utmost violence to nature, 

 mixing distinct genera and families, and separating 

 those that are most nearly related, even the sexes, 

 placing the males in one genus and the females in 

 another, though both have the same oral instru- 

 ments (z), and instead of order and true system, 

 introducing the greatest confusion and disorder. 



A system so constructed, which is the cause of 

 so much confusion and distortion of nature, can 

 never be lasting; the more closely it is examined, 

 the more deficient will it be found, and probably it 

 will not long sun'ive its author. While that of 

 Linneus, which Fabricius and his followers have 

 treated with such undeserved contempt, receiving 

 daily those improvements of which it is capable and 

 w'hicli it demands, will descend, because founded 

 on the sure basis of truth and nature, to the latest 

 posterity, and, in conjunction with his other 

 glorious labours, immortalize his name to all 



generations. 



Gmelin has done little more than combine Lin- 

 neus with Fabricius, adopting for families, the then 

 new genera of the latter ; I shall therefore altoge- 

 ther pass over his character of this genus* 



(z) The mistake of sexual characters for those of genera or 

 families, is so natural in those who do not examine insects, in 

 this genus, anatomicall)', that it is not to be wondered at, and 

 may be allowed for. But tlie case is much altered, when such 

 mistakes are made by one, whose whole system is built upon 

 those parts in. which the sexes do agree. 



ADDITIONAI, 



