MEMOIR OF DE GEER. 



65 



of a cotemporary of De Geer's, the celebrated Reau- 

 mur ; and, as it was the works of the latter which had 

 the greatest influence in stimulating the zeal of the 

 Swedish naturalist for the study, it is natural to 

 institute some comparison hetween them. As the 

 result of this comparison, it may he briefly affirmed, 

 that Reaumur shows greater skill in making his ob- 

 servations, more felicity' in planning experiments, 

 and a readier power of exciting interest in the narra- 

 tion of them ; but De Geer is less prolix in detailing 

 facts, more precise, and infinitely more methodical. 

 The absence of the latter quality in the French philo- 

 sopher has rendered it impossible, in many instances, 

 to determine the objects to which his observations 

 refer. As a disciple of Linngeus, De Geer could not 

 fail to be early impressed with the value of system, 

 and that which he framed for the arrangement of 

 insects claims a brief notice. In a tabular form, it 

 will stand thus : 



' Gymnoptera. HJ 





1. Lepidoptera. 



2. Elinguia, (Ephemera, &c.) 



3. Neuroptera, (Dr -agon-flies, , 



4. Hymenoptera. 



5. Siphonata, (Aphides and 



Cicada,.) 



6. Dermaptera, (Bugs and 



Water-Bugs.) 

 Vaginata. -j 7. UemipteTa,(Cockroackes and 



Grasshoppe rs. ) 

 8. Coleoptera. 

 Diptera. J 9. Halterata,(Z>zz>fera ofLinn^ 

 I 10. Proboscidea, (Coccus.) 



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