of the Lepidoptera Diurna of Latreille. ,187 



whole will present that order, beauty, and harmony, which 

 belongs alone to the works of Omnipotence. 



Whether in this feeble eflfort to illustrate such truths I have 

 made some approach to a correct view of Nature, or whether, 

 deceived by the little knowledge we yet possess, I have used it 

 to construct an artificial system, and thereby given another 

 instance of the misapplication of the Quinary principles, is not 

 for me to judge. Mr. Macleay has justly said, " It is easy, 

 indeed, to imagine the prevalence of a number ; the difficulty 

 is to prove it. The naturalist, therefore, requires something 

 more than the statement of a number, before he allows either 

 a preconceived opinion, or any analogy not founded on organic 

 structure, to have an influence on his favourite science." 

 (Linn. Trans, vol. xiv. p. 57.) To bring the foregoing ob- 

 servations to this test, 1 shall endeavour to exhibit, in the fol- 

 lowing synopsis, the leading characters of the groups at one 

 view. 



Lepidoptera Diurna, Latr. 



j_ Families. 



Typical Grovp. f Pupa suspended. Anterior legs imperfect. 1. NymphalidcB. 

 Pupa angulated. J_ Pupa braced and naked.. . . \ Anterior •2. Pajrilionida. 



{Pupa braced & foliculated. J legsperfect. 3. Hesperidce, Leach. 

 Pupa braced. Larva onisciform. Ante- 

 rior legs semi-perfect 4. Polyommatida:. 

 Pupa suspended. Anterior legs imperfect. 5. Heliconida. 



By bringing the Heliconidce back to the Nymphalidce, the five 

 groups (which I shall denominate families) will be united every 

 way, and form a circle. The result will be, that all the most 

 perfectly formed insects will be brought together ; at the same 

 time that their several distinctions, in other respects, are pre- 

 served. The power of flight (which is the distinguishing cha- 

 racter of the Lepidoptera) is seen to be developed, diminish- 

 ed, and again increased, in a very remarkable manner. — With 

 regard to analogical relations, the following are among the 

 most striking. 



Hexapod or 

 Tetrapod. fBody short, thick, conic, reposing in a groove"j sub-Hexapod. 

 •X, , ,., I fonned by the posterior wings. Club of the I rr.^ 

 NympluUtcUe. i. ^^^^,,n^f,^li^^ compressed. Thorax very f ^'^"■^^^ 

 L thick. Flight strong, rapid. J 



f Body lengthened, slender, clavate, free. Club "i 

 Hdkonid a. } of the antennas compressed, generally spa- >• Pohjovimatida. 

 t tulate. Thorax small. Flight feeble, slow. ) 



Many other analogies may be noticed among the perfect in- 

 sects ; and many, doubtless, from the larvae of such as are at 

 present known ; — l)ut enough has been said on this point. 

 In conclusion, I should suggest that the secondary groups, 

 2 B 2 or 



