110 NATURAL ARRANGKMENT OF INSECTS. 



dissimilar. The position we thus assume for Acronycta 

 is probably supported by its colouring, which seems 

 central, in the group of those which are least diversified 

 by varieties of tint, and associating with them we ob- 

 serve Polia, Hadena, Celcena, Miana, Mamestra, Rhi- 

 xolitha, Xylina, Orthopia, and Agrotis, if the latter, 

 however, might not dispute position with Acronycta. 

 We have just alluded to the difficulty that even skilful 

 entomologists have in determining the differences be- 

 tween closely allied species ; but to the young entomo- 

 logist, this entire group will form an admirable exercise 

 for his sagacity, and the gradual decrease of the diffi- 

 culties it presents will be a sure test of the progressive 

 developement of that peculiar tact, so essential, especi- 

 ally to the entomologist, yet which is more difficult to 

 acquire than knowledge, although, when once thoroughly 

 possessed, it is invaluable to the naturalist, from the 

 universality of its application. [W. E. S.] 



CHAP. III. 



THE HEMIFTERA. 



(108.) The order Hbmiptera is the second, or sub- 

 typical, division of the Ptilota. Its rank in the circle 

 of that class, and its integrity, has been already demon- 

 strated; we therefore think it unnecessary to combat 

 the opinion which some have entertained, that the 

 Hemiptera of Linnfeus, or rather of Latreille, is not of 

 itself a natural group ; still less to discuss the fancy 

 (for we can call it nothing else) of a few modern sys- 

 tematists, that they are composed of two distinct orders ! 

 One would almost think that these pseudo-orders were 



