S4f NATURAL ARRANGEMENT OF INSECTS. 



ition, the same author continues, "is probably exem- 

 plified in the genus Aleyrodes," whose metamorphosis 

 is described by Reaumer as perfectly resembling that 

 of the Lepidoptera. On the other hand, the connection 

 of this order to the Neuroptera is effected by the 

 Linnaean genus Phryganea ; and this so perfectly, that 

 the latter may even be called aquatic moths. 



(74.) The different arrangements that have been 

 proposed for this vast assemblage, can only be slightly 

 noticed ; for, were we to enter into such details, a mo- 

 derate volume would scarce contain them. The three 

 great divisions of butterfly, hawk moth, and moth, are 

 so obvious, that Linnaeus formed them into as many 

 genera. The distinction was natural, but the denomi- 

 nation artificial ; not because they respectively com- 

 prised many thousands of species, but because the rank 

 of each group is totally different from those which he 

 denominated genera in the other orders. Fabricius long 

 had the general credit of having first broken up these 

 groups, and thereby made the first step towards a better 

 definition of their contents. But this merit belongs to 

 a countryman of our own. It was in the year 17^7, 

 that Moses Harris published his small " Essay preced- 

 ing a Supplement to the Aurelian," wherein he not only 

 gives most accurate magnified figures of all the leading 

 types of the British butterflies, but actually divides them 

 into genera. Few copies of this remarkable work, in 

 all probability, were printed ; and being given to the 

 world at a time when to doubt the authority of Linnaeus 

 was considered scientific treason, the Essay seems to have 

 attracted little or no attention. Harris founded his ge- 

 nera on the neuration of the wings, to which he paid the 

 most minute attention ; and his figures of those organs 

 are beautifully accurate. In the year 1776, was pub- 

 lished the famous t( Vienna Catalogue," as it is generally 

 termed, <c the joint production of Messrs. Denis and 

 SchiefFermuller, two distinguished officers of high rank 

 at the court of Vienna, who, from their charge in the 

 Imperial Academv, are known in Germany by the name 



