Thorax, in winged Insects. 147 



From what I have seen of this work, which for some reason or other has 

 been interrupted, * there is enough to shew that its author possesses one 

 of those generahzing minds which can stamp a value on the most trivial 

 observation by the philosophical manner in which they link it with 

 others so as to form a complete whole. Such persons indeed are said to 

 make natural history too abstruse and difficult, but it will only be so to 

 the indolent ; and the holy friars of natural history can continue to amuse 

 themselves with Linnaeus, or if they please with Goldsmith, nothing being 

 required of them but to learn not to interfere with others who attempt to 

 know a little more than themselves. M. Audouin's Researches are as 

 strictly those of a naturalist as the Memoires of M. Chabrier are those of a 

 physiologist. Both works are admirable in their way, and must make 

 any person who studies the subject most anxious for their continuation. 



The last work in point of date is the third volume of Messrs. Kirby and 

 Spence's Introduction, f a work perhaps not quite so original as those 

 mentioned above, but certainly most creditable to its author, J who treats 

 therein of the external anatomy of insects at great length, and gives a 

 tolerably able nomenclature of parts. The merits of my venerable 

 friend's work, however, are unfortunately shaded by an almost total 

 neglect of generalization, and by an obvious ambition to change the 



" Lundi 19 Fevrier 1821, par M. Le Baron Cuvier, sur un Ouvrage de M. 

 " Victor Audouin ayant pour litre " Recherches Anatomiques sut le Thorax, &.C." 

 The several parts of the Thorax are described, figured, and named in this 

 Report, which must of course establish the date of M. Audouin's Nomencla- 

 ture. 



» In expressing myself thus, allowance must be made for the uncertainty 

 and delay with which I obtain works of science in Cuba. It is possible that 

 M. Audouin has followed up his Researches on the Anatomy of the Insect Ske- 

 leton without my being aware of it. 



f The last two volumes of this useful work were published in 1826. The 

 chapter on Orismology, in the fourth volume, is more particularly valuable, and 

 making allowance for the nomenclature of parts, deserves the special attention 

 of entomological students. 



J See the Preface to the concluding volumes of the work, from which it appears 

 that we must attribute the labour of the latter volumes in a more especial taan'* 

 ner to the learned author of the " Monographia Apum Anglite." 



k2 



