2 TO ZOOLOGISTS. 
convenient, my species in small natural groupes, and by confining each plate 
as much as possible to the representation of species that are nearly allied 
to each other. Such a mode of proceeding, like that of Dr. Smith, will 
allow of the work, when concluded, being bound up according to that system 
of arrangement which may appear to the reader most advisable to follow. 
I could wish that it had been in my power to describe these insects 
according to the general plan commenced in the Annulosa Javanica. Several 
circumstances, however, prevent such a scheme being followed, among 
which is the necessity in a work of this kind of each number possessing 
considerable variety. But although I am about to describe the Annulosa of 
South Africa in a miscellaneous order, I trust no one will detect symptoms 
of my being tormented by that morbid thirst for naming new species 
which makes so many modern works in entomology, rather magazines of 
undigested and insulated facts than harmonious histories of nature. It is 
really distressing to see the philosophy of our science lost sight of in a 
puling passion for that miserable immortality which is made to depend on 
the invention of some barbarous technical names. We cannot even say 
that the best entomologists are free from it, when we find the laborious 
author of the ‘“‘ Genera Curculionidum,’ whose fame has arisen from his 
study of nomenclature, shewing utter contempt of its laws. The pre- 
servation of the earliest name is a duty not so much to the name as to 
the science; yet M. Schonherr has in 1833, attempted to alter the names 
of many genera published in 1825 in the appendix to Captain King’s voyage. 
I shall not follow so mischievous an example; but as far as my humble 
means will allow, I shall endeavour to be rigorously observant of that 
leading principle of nomenclature which is the right of priority. This right, 
in my opinion, is so necessary to be sustained, if we have any regard for the 
interests of natural history, that I shall never for one moment wait to 
consider whether the first namer of a species be an author of reputation 
or not. 
W. S. M‘L. 
