426 SYSTEM OF INSECTS. 



If the claim to priority was to be decided by the exqiri- 

 siteness of instincts and the benefits conferred upon the 

 human race, doubtless it would be in favour of the last- 

 mentioned insects. If the power to do mischief carried 

 it, and to lay waste the earth, the Orthoptera would be 

 entitled as much as any to the bad pre-eminence. If 

 beauty, and. grace, and gaiety, and splendour of colours 

 were the great requisite, and the law enjoined, Detur 

 pidchriori, the Lepidoptera would doubtless win the 

 throne. But if perfection and solidity of structure, as 

 they ought, are to regulate this point ; we must, I think, 

 with the illustrious Swede, assign the palm to the Co- 

 leoptera. If we consider these in all their parts, the 

 organs for flight only excepted, they seem more perfectly 

 formed and finished than the insects of any other order. 

 But which of the Coleopterous tribes are entitled to the 

 precedency ? Linne placed the Lamellicorn beetles at 

 the head of the order, beginning with the Dynastidas, 

 probably led by some characters which seem to connect 

 these with the Branchiostegous fishes. In this he was 

 followed by Fabricius. But Latreille and most modern 

 Entomologists have begun with Cicindela and the other 

 Predaceous beetles. I am not certain what are Mr. Mac- 

 Leay's sentiments on this subject ; but from what he says 

 in the Annulasa Javanica a , it does not appear that he is 

 a convert to the latter opinion. Bulk and strength seem 

 the most striking characteristics of the former tribe, 

 which represent the cattle or ruminants amongst Verte- 

 brate animals. Strength united with agility and a con- 

 siderable portion of grace and symmetry evidently con- 



a Annulos. Javan. i. 1. 



