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Art. VII. — Sphinx Vespiformis. An Essay. By Edward 

 Newman. 8vo. London : Westley and Davis. 



So fully convinced are all true naturalists of the importance 

 of discovering the true system of nature., that we doubt not but 

 this little essay will be read with pleasure, even by those who 

 may not be disposed to coincide in the peculiar views of the 

 author. 



Like Mr. MacLeay, Mr. Newman fully believes in the 

 existence of circular groups, though he differs from him both 

 as to the number of minor groups, of which they are composed, 

 and as to the manner in which they are linked together. 

 Without entering into a comparison of his views, and those of 

 other systematists, we will proceed at once to give an outline 

 of the arrangement he proposes, and which he considers as 

 more in accordance with nature than any yet before the public. 

 After showing the identity of the ^geria Asiliformis of 

 modern writers with Sphinx Vespiformis of Linne, he adds : — 



" To ascertain the place among insects, or even animated beings, 

 which this Sphinx vespiformis naturally occupies, I have attempted 

 in the following pages. The Systema Naturce has, for years, been 

 the object of my most diligent search ; but the idea which I have 

 taken of the subject is scarcely a month old. An anxiety to hear 

 the opinions of others has urged me to scribble these few pages 

 with, I fear, far more haste than good speed, &c. I feel, however, 

 a firm conviction that my theory is too near an approach to truth to 

 suffer from any garb, however slovenly, in which I may have dressed 

 it."— Pref. p. 7. 



After remarking on the probable existence of a natural 

 system, and on the improbable nature of the supposition that 

 the beautiful gradations, from one group to another, so con- 

 spicuous in every department of nature, should be merely the 

 result of chance, our author proceeds : — 



" Infinitely varied, however, as the course of such a peculiarity 

 must be, the naturalist never finds those sudden departures from the 

 regular flow of variation, which all systems, even the most approved, 

 are constantly exhibiting ; the reason of which is, that in thus tracing 

 approaches in his mind, he will continually discover an individual, 

 completely surrounded by others, each of which partakes of its peculia- 

 rities, not only in a different degree, but in a different mode : and thus 



