ZOOLOGY. 609 



is more, wherein it would not be easy to prove that no 

 single order and family occupies the right place. 



In such trumpery systems of classification, one would 

 think, that some respect might be had for principles, or 

 at least a feeling of shame for the blockhead's weakness 

 of intellect. But in vain ! Where the sense for philo- 

 sophy or for principles is wanting, it is not to be incul- 

 cated or driven in. We still see Natural Histories shoot 

 forth, with whose shrub-like ramification we must have 

 compassion. Every thicket of briars is rooted deep, and 

 admits only of being extirpated by wearisome and patient 

 culture. 



The Rhyncophora indicate that the Phytophagous 

 beetles are the lowest ; the Lamellicornes that the 

 Coprophagous are the highest. The Sarcophagous cha- 

 fers accordingly take their place between the two. 



Now, however, the Rhyncophora are tetrameral. In 

 like manner are the Phytophagous beetles, such as the 

 Borkenkafer and Holzschroter. They consequently form 

 the main stem, unto which all the true Phytophaga must 

 be annexed. But among them also belong the Penta- 

 meral, namely, the Holzbohrer, Schnell- and Prachtkafer ; 

 I have therefore disposed them in this order, and I be- 

 lieve quite correctly. 



The Lamellicorn or Dung-beetles are pentameral, and 

 on that account to be coarranged with the Necrophaga or 

 Carrion-feeders and Sexton-beetles, as well as with the 

 parasitic Lampyridae, and the predaceous Raub- and 

 Laufkafer, despite their exceedingly great difference of 

 living and even anomalous structure. On the contrary, 

 most of the heteromeral kinds agree in their mode of 

 living, and tolerably too in structure, with the Dung- 

 beetles, at least the Mulnifressenden, such as the Meal- 

 beetles or Tenebrionidae, and indeed the Stenelytra also, 

 while the Cantharides are parasitic at least as larvae. 



It seems also to me, that the fungi must be viewed 

 as flour or dung, and that therefore those very Fungivora, 

 whose structure does not point the way otherwise, can 

 be placed with the Mulm- and Mistkafern, although they 



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