214 Mr. Westwood on the Affinities of Clinidiwnu 



hears from those, but little interested in the subject, about the endless 

 bounds of the Science, &c. may not perhaps be wondered at, although 

 they are to be regretted, as it is not to be doubted that they have repeat- 

 edly tended lo deter many a Tyro from proceeding in the science. To those, 

 however, who are more deeply versed in the subject, the increase of our 

 knowledge of new species either of insects, or of any other group of 

 beings, is an object of the most lively interest; and to none more so than 

 to those whose more immediate object is the discovery of affinities, and 

 the consequent developenient of the natural system, employed in the 

 creation and distribution, not only of the insect tribes, but also of every 

 branch of the organized creation ; and hence every new insect added to 

 our collection, " which of itself," as Mr. MacLeay observes, in the An- 

 nulosa Javanica, " scarcely raises a thought in our minds beyond what 

 '* may originate in its splendour of colour, or its eccentricity of form, 

 " becomes absolutely important when described in reference to its fel- 

 " lows." 



I have been led into these remai'ks by the interesting observations of 

 Mr, Kirby, contained in his communication upon the new genus Clini- 

 dium, published in the last number of this Journal. The insect forming 

 that genus is represented by Mr. Kirby to present characters of several dif- 

 ferent and distant tribes, so that after a very close inspection, and diligent 

 comparative investigation of its characters, he states that he feels uncer- 

 tain to what modern group, larger or smaller, to refer it. 



The object of the present paper is to offer some observations upon its 

 affinities and analogies ; but knowing, as I do, the extreme hazard at- 

 tending the promulgation of opinions upon the situation of objects which 

 so well illustrate Latreille's remark upon Stylops MelittcB, " Animal ani- 

 " mum excrucians," I must rely upon the indulgence of the more ad- 

 vanced student towards the following pages. It will be seen, however, 

 that I have endeavoured to depend as little as possible upon my own indivi- 

 dual opinions, contenting myself rather with collecting the observations 

 of authors who have preceded me. And should it perchance be objected 

 that this paper describes no new object, I confidently trust that the inte- 

 rest which must necessarily attach to the opinions of the celebrated' men 

 whose works I have quoted, (more especially as the objects of these 

 opinions belong to tribes which materially disturb the tarsal system of 



