30 



Before we conclude our hints on this order of 

 insects, it should be observed, that naturalists 

 are much in the dark with respect to the larvae 

 and economy, not only of this order, but of 

 exotic insects in general. Of the importance of 

 a knowledge of the larvae of coleopterous in- 

 sects, suffice it to say, that the natural distri- 

 bution of the perfect insect, according to the 

 views of the first entomolgist of the present day, 

 depends on the form of the larva ; and there ap- 

 pears sufficient ground for this arrangement, and 

 there is no doubt that the larvae of the other 

 orders will tend, in no small degree, to illus- 

 trate and accelerate these views of a natural 

 affinity. We are induced to extend our remarks 

 thus far, in the hope that those who may have 

 the leisure and opportunity of making notes and 

 observations on the natural history of insects, 

 will become as great benefactors to this delight- 

 ful branch of science, as they who may add hun- 

 dreds to the yet undescribed species existing in 

 the museums of Europe. We are fully aware of 

 the difficulty of thoroughly investigating the na- 

 tural history of any one individual species ; it 

 should be remembered, however, that many cu- 

 rious and useful observations may be made that 

 will be highly interesting, and of great value to 



