HISTORY OF ENTOMOLOGY. 455 



to ascertain the insects whose history he gives. But with 

 these exceptions, no observer of nature, who wishes his 

 discoveries to be at once profound and interesting, can 

 copy a better model or one nearer to perfection. 



Next to that of Reaumur, the name of his admiring 

 correspondent Bonnet may be mentioned. This great 

 physiologist, though still more deficient in systematical 

 knowledge a , was also an admirable observer of the eco- 

 nomy and manners of insects. In this sense he became 

 an Entomologist before he was seventeen years of age, 

 in consequence of an impression made upon him by the 

 account of the Antlion in that attractive work the Spec- 

 tacle de la Nature. From verifying its wonderful hi- 

 story with his own eyes, he entered with enthusiasm upon 

 the study of other insects, his observations on which he 

 regularly communicated to Reaumur. Amongst other 

 interesting inquiries, his experiments on that singular 

 anomaly in nature the generation of Aphides b do him 

 the highest credit, and have set that question perfectly 

 at rest c . 



In another department of the science this period was 

 distinguished by a work which may almost be deemed a 

 prodigy. I am speaking of Lyonet's admirable treatise 

 on the anatomy of the caterpillar of the Cossus, a work 

 which will uphold his reputation as long as Entomology 

 shall be cultivated as a science, or the comparative Ana- 

 tomist be delighted to trace the footsteps of Divine Wis- 

 dom in the gradually varying structure of animals. The 

 plates to this publication, executed by the hand of its 



a Smith's Tour, iii. 150. 



h VOL. I. p. 175. Also see above, p. 166. c Bonnet i. 19. 



