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A small Collection of Shells was set apart during the last 

 year to elucidate the System of the Chevalier de la Mark. 

 It is hoped by the next Report to announce the change in the 

 whole of the Conchological Series, for in no part of Natural 

 History, is the advantage of the natural over the artificial 

 system, more apparent than amongst Shells. 



The same principles that have been adopted in the other 

 branches of Natural History are found equally valuable in En- 

 tomology, where the kind of food is invariably determined by 

 the grand division in which the Insect is placed: thus the 

 British Insects are now arranged by Mr. Newport according 

 to the system of Stephens, the most recent as well as the best 

 authority on this subject. The principle upon which this 

 system has been established, is the dividing of Insects into 

 two grand Series according to their natural affinities — first, 

 Mandibulata, comprising those furnished with jaws and in- 

 struments of manducation, and which feed on solid parts of 

 animals and vegetables : — and second, Haustellata, compri- 

 sing those Insects that have the mouth tubulated in the form 

 of a rostrum or sucker and without any real manducatory or- 

 gans : the food of this latter class consists entirely of Honey 

 or fluids derived from vegetable or animal substances. The 

 Genera comprised under these two grand divisions are so ar- 

 ranged as to form nearly a Cycle, those at the end of the se- 

 cond, (Haustellata) being nearly related to those at the be- 

 ginning of the first (Mandibulata). 



In the department under the care of Mr. John Brent jun. the 

 Implements, Weapons &c. of various nations and tribes of un- 

 civilized people, the specimens are now placed in a manner 

 that cannot fail to be interesting even at a cursory glance. 

 The plan pursued has been to commence the Scries with tho 

 most rude attempts of workmanship in wood only ; afterwards 

 are placed others in which wood is used with fish-bones tied 

 on with braidings of grass &cc. ; then follow Paddles kc. in 

 which a more elaborate carving is shewn ; and lastly, those 



