0/2 a Variety of the Genus Acdrtii. 5 



mated works. And in this particular I think a natural line 

 oi' demarcation bet'.vcen the monads of matter, organic par- 

 ticles, or first rudiments of future being, and distinct be- 

 ings, is quite apparent. 



For it is not the oscillatory motion of the semen mascu- 

 linuni, the attractive and repulsive motion of some of the 

 ammalcula infusoria, or the rapid vegetative growth of 

 the mutilated parts of these semi-anirnated creatures called 

 polypi, that so properly constitutes life, consciousness, and 

 perfect being ; but predilections, volition, propagation of 

 species, &c. are primary characteristics of being : and from 

 these criteria we ought, a posteriori, to draw our inferences 

 of different degrees or modes of existence, because they are 

 so much more satisfactory than the indefinite one of loco- 

 motion, or any other of the non-naturals. 



From these particulars I infer that this creature is neither 

 larva nor infusoria, but a perfect insect ; because the one 

 cannot propagate, and the other is not begotten bv an iden- 

 tical parent. And it is plain that it differs very essentially 

 from the animated moleculae or organic monads, or pani- 

 cles of the semen masculinum, which are rather the primitive 

 rudiments of future beings than beings themselves. 



It is as far back as May 1803 since I first made the 

 discovery of these insects; but, as J would not imperti- 

 nently obtrude every trifling discovery upon the world, lest 

 it should have been publislied before (and I despise plagia- 

 rism), I have let it lie by ever since, that I might inform 

 myself of this circumstance did it exist; and by this for- 

 bearance I have discovered that there are as many as five- 

 and-thirty varieties of this genus, known in the Linnre.in 

 catalogue, chiefly distinguished by the numbers and Icmrth 

 of thorns, or hairs, which issue from their posterior parts, 

 But of this variety no particular mention is made bv that 

 great man, that I can learn; and this, together with some 

 original remarks, which my attention to the subject has 

 enabled me to make, seems to justify the present observa- 

 tions. 



In the year and month above mentioned I happened to 

 catch a feaihtred fly of the order diptera, which curiosity 

 prompted me to reserve for the micrcjscope, with a view of 

 exan)ii)ing its beautiful plumage, or fcather>, with which the 

 legs are plated or covered, and the wings striated and bor- 

 dered : each wing has six of these strioe of delicate fimbriated 

 feathers, and frmbriaied with a border of the same, issuing 

 out at an angle of about thirty degrees from their source: the 

 other part of the wings is reticulated by veiu'^-, so a? to ap- 

 A 3 pea 



