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| Linnezus” is divided into six “ classes,” and he then enumerates them 
from the Equites to the Plebeii. For that man Entomology has slept 
for a century. Another authority tells us that “the Scarabei and 
Carabide of Linneus” are the most important and extensive of the 
_ families of the Coleoptera, and that these two leading families may be 
divided into eight subfamilies or groups. These are—1, Pilularii; 
2, Melolonthide; 3, Lucani; 4, Xylophaga; 5, Rhynchophora; 
6, Ptinide; 7, Elateride; 8, Coccinellide. The Brachelytre (sic) 
are represented as “a small group,* not, we believe, generally known 
as belonging to the Coleoptera.” These subfamilies or groups, we are 
told, include most of the common beetles of this country. It is 
doubtful if they include one half. But, even in works of the highest 
class, we now and then find a writer a little de trop, as, for instance, 
when, in a recent Review, we have the lantern flies identified with the 
Phasmidz. But one of the strangest bits of fatuity recently found a 
place in the letter of a well-known writer in America, the cor- 
respondent of a London newspaper. After a long account of some 
peculiar and rather mysterious annoyances to which he had been 
subjected, he says, “These most disgusting libels on the caterpillar- 
tribe are but in a chrysalis state. They turn out to be, in the long 
run, not reptiles, but insects.” The caterpillar tribe in a chrysalis 
state! and then, not to be reptiles after all!! The insect referred to 
is probably the Spilosoma Virginicum. 
The letters of a “ Times Bee-master” might be appropriately referred 
to here, but they appear, from the remarks of the Apiarians, at whose 
hands they have received universal condemnation, to be rather a work 
of the imagination than a statement of facts. 
It would, I think, be very desirable if we could have a cheap series 
of Introductions to the different Orders of Insects. The classical 
work of Professor Westwood + is not only out of print, but is, perhaps, 
on too bulky and expensive a scale to meet the popular want. Divided 
into moderate and convenient portions, brought down to the present 
hour, and the bibliography omitted as adding too much to the size, it 
would form excellent bases for half-a-dozen Manuals, which might 
embrace the whole class of insects. If there are any figures, they 
should be the very best, and on steel in preference to wood. 
Another class of books we want very much is that of “ Index- 
Catalogues,” that is, lists of the published species of families, sub- 
* This “small group” only contains about 730 British species. 
+ ‘An Introduction to the Modern Classification of Insecis,’ 2 vols. 8vo, 1839, 
