594 APPENDIX. 



" Upper wings of Grylli, *c. The terra elytrum is not improperly applied to 

 these case-wings ; it means merely an integument, and I don't see that any con- 

 fusion is generated by the use of it. Even amongst the Coleoptera, the elytra 

 of some are scarcely more than coriaceous, while in others they are a very hard 

 crust. The term elytrum of itself does not properly convey the idea either of a 

 corneous, coriaceous, or membraneous wing-cover, but merely of a wing-cover. 

 The same observation holds good with respect to the Coleoptra, which is so 

 convenient that it will not be easy to do without it, and it is used without im- 

 propriety, strictly considered, for when thus used it is merely saying wing-cases 

 so and so. The term Hemelytrum is more applied to Cimices, I believe; elytrum 

 would be proper for Cicada, but not for Chermes, Aphis, and Thrips. All that 

 seems necessary is under each order or section to define the substance of the 

 elytra. You seem not to have noticed the difference between the terms Coleo- 

 ptera and Coleoptra. You will find, when it is applied to the elytra of indivi- 

 duals, it is always spelled in the latter way. 



44 Squamula Linne, indeed, in his generic character of Formica, uses the 



term squamula, but never once in his description of the species; here it is always 

 squama. Fabricius and Latreille invariably have it squama. Linne's generic 

 character will not be adopted, because it does not include all the species ; or if 

 it should be adopted, squamula would properly be changed to squama. I 

 therefore see no reason for giving up my own term, which I think every im- 

 partial person will prefer to Illiger's. A little scale is certainly much better than 

 a little tile, for the part in question ; indeed, the latter strikes me as bordering 

 upon the ridiculous. 



" I am sorry to find, that in my haste in putting up the insects, for Mr. Rod- 

 well to take, I forgot the Scymnus I reserved for you, and also a little Aleo- 

 chara (rufunguld) which I have of yours, taken when you were here, under some 

 moss in Shrubland Park. 



" Nov. 29. I have carefully read over your excellent sketch for a plan of 

 our work, and upon the whole very much approve of it. What we say in the 

 first letter with respect to objections farther than glancing at them, should be to 

 meet and refute the charge of cruelty, which is also one great objection with 

 the fair sex from pursuing the study. The cui bono objections will be answered 

 partly when we detail the general advantages, and more fully as you propose, 

 and have done excellently, in the 12th letter. I am not altogether of your 

 opinion with respect to the mode of treating the Noxce Insectorum, for I think 

 the general effect will be much the most striking and alluring, if we conclude 

 with the ravages of the lucusts. We are giving a general view of the subject. 

 Our Introduction is & general Introduction to Entomology, and if we give a par- 

 ticular detail of the injuries our country receives, as we should of course do, 

 this will be sufficient to interest the reader, and will remain longest upon his 

 mind, because always under his eyes, though we leave off with exotic depreda- 

 tions. Don't let us expose ourselves to the sneers of hypercritics, that we are 

 proficients in the Bathos, or art of sinking. This is all material that I find to 

 object to in your plan ; the rest is admirable. I think the directions for taking 

 insects, preserving, &c., should follow the technical part, for, as my friend Mac 

 Leay observed, we should first tell our correspondent what an insect is, before 

 we set him to catch it. From your plan, which urges strongly the placing 

 Noxce before the Beneficia, you seem to have imagined I had placed the latter 

 first, but in this your memory failed you; it is always best to leave off with the 

 fair side. . . . Pray tell me in your next what parts of the work, besides the 

 History of Entomology, you would like best to do, as I shall soon set hard to 

 work, and 'tis pity we should both gnaw the same bone. When you have 

 gnawed your bones, send them to me. and I Avill do the same by mine; so they 

 will stand a good chance of being picked quite clean. 1 shall hope for much 



