12(5 FAMILIiE. 



ending with miatomy and economy; descending' 

 from generals to particulars, and then tracing back 

 my steps from particulars to generals ; using both 

 the synthetical and analytical modes of reasoning, 

 as mathematicians speak, by a series of observations 

 and experiments, frequently repeated, I was enabled 

 to trace the labyrinth of nature, and, by the assist- 

 ance of this double Jilum Ariadneum, to establish 

 my system upon a sure basis. 1 do not pretend^ 

 however, to have exhausted the subject, much will 

 still remain to be done, and much improvement 

 may be given to what is here attempted, by those 

 who possess the opportunity of examining the 

 exotic species of these two genera ; but, I hope, 

 I have opened the way for the discovery of the 

 natural arrangement. 



I shall first draW out a synoptical table of my 

 families and their subdivisions, exhibiting at one 

 view their Essential Characters, and next offer 

 some observations upon each, with a general ac- 

 count of its history and economy, as far as I am 

 at present acquainted with them, prefixing what 

 may be called its Natural Character, or Habitus. 

 To enable my readers to determine v^ith greater 

 facility to what division any particular insect be- 

 longs, in my Synopsis Specierum, I shall place at 

 the head of each family an Artificial Charactef 

 of it. 



FAMILIARUM 



