428 SYSTEM OF INSECTS. 



Coleopterous insect. But having stated these opinions,. 

 I shall leave you to draw your own conclusions, as the 

 question is still perplexed with many difficulties. I am 

 ready to admit that some Vertebrates approach near to 

 the Annelida , but that it is through them alone that 

 they are connected with insects, is not at present clear. 

 With regard to reptifes, they seem to be connected 

 with insects by several characters. In the Chelonians, 

 the skeleton merges in the external carapace or 

 shell ; the Ophidians change their skin like larvae ; 

 the Batrachians undergo metamorphoses ; some of the 

 Saurians also have their changes : and the Draco volans 

 has wings somewhat analogous to those of insects a . 

 Were I to be asked what Order of insects could con- 

 nect with reptiles, I should point to the Orthoptera, es- 

 pecially Gryllus L., which by their noise and saltato- 

 rious powers not a little resemble frogs ; and the larvae 

 of some strikingly imitate their form b : and of others 

 even that of a lizard c . But these resemblances, after all, 

 may only indicate analogies. 



a VOL. III. p. 590. b Fuessl. Arckiv. t. Hi./. 5. 



c Stoll Saut. de Pass. t. xx. b.f. 70. 



