50 



It need scarcely be added, that all these characters are to be met 

 with in every intermediate degree of intensity. Now, it appears, 

 that Phalasna possesses an extreme of each of the four principal cha- 

 racters. Sphinx of two, Noctua of one, and Papilio of one ; there- 

 fore Phalaena is the typical genus, Phalaenae the typical order, and 

 Phalsena the typical sub-class of Lepidoptera : and a necessary 

 conclusion from this fact is, the type of Lepidoptera is an insect 

 without antlia or palpi, with very pectinated antennae and enor- 

 mously expansive wings, and we may add nocturnal flight : so 

 that such peculiar characters as the thick full body and pro- 

 digiously long antlia of Sphinx, the clavate antennae, erect wings, 

 and diurnal flight of Papilio, argue a departure from, and not an 

 approach to, the type. 



By a reference to the Diagi'ams exhibiting the classes of 

 Insecta, and the sub-classes of Lepidoptera, it will at once be 

 observed, that the central group in each case contains types 

 of the surrounding groups. Now after a central group has 

 thrown off a set of six forms, each representing, in general 

 appearance, some group equally extensive with such central 

 group, the faculty or power of throwing off such forms becomes, 

 in a good degree, extinct, or, at any rate, very much debili- 

 tated. This can be no unforeseen, but a perfectly natural, and 

 absolutely necessary consequence ; for taking either of the two 

 classes which are at present sought after, Lepidoptera and Coleop- 

 tera, we must observe, that did either of them possess as varied 

 forms and characters as are to be found in Neuroptera, the essen- 

 tial and distinguishing character of that class, viz. variety, and 

 the harmonious arrangement of the whole sub-kingdom, would 

 both be entirely lost ; and it would remain for human ingenuity to 

 locate either of the classes centrally or externally, as caprice, or 

 the love of differing from others, might dictate. I wish it to be 

 observed, that Neuroptera, in the genera Psyche, Cloeon, Termes, 

 Psocus and Mantispa, does not merely assume the form of the 

 genera. Tinea, Chironomus, Formica, Aphis and Mantis, but 

 actually possesses the characters and appearance of the classes 

 Lepidoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera and Orthoptera. 

 The obviously homogeneous character of Lepidoptera and Co- 

 leoptera, although, probably, containing in every sub-class more 



