48 INTRODUCTION. 



structure being in other respects similar; thus indicating 

 that, except in this single circumstance, the entire system of 

 the two groups must he as nearly as possible identical. Thus, 

 too much weight appears to have been given to the social 

 conditions of the Bombi, and the characters of structure re- 

 sulting therefrom; and, in like manner, the same remark 

 may be applied to all classifications founded on the presumed 

 superiority of an isolated character, independent of the 

 question of its real value, as proved by the functions for 

 which it is bestowed ; and herein lies one of the great ob- 

 stacles in the way of our tracing the real relationships of 

 animals. Thus one author will maintain that the meta- 

 morphoses of insects are entitled to the first consideration ; 

 and will hence insist that the all-devom'ing locust and the 

 suctorial bug are closely allied together. Another will give 

 the same weight to the organs of the mouth ; and, denying 

 the relationship between these two insects, will assert that 

 the one is more nearly allied to the mandibulated Neuroptera, 

 and the other to the suctorial Lepidoptera j whilst a third 

 will maintain the superiority of the wings, and thus bring 

 the mandibulated Hyrnenoptera and the suctorial Dijjtera 

 into contact. Now' all these variations of classification do 

 not prove that there are no such things as relationships ex- 

 isting amongst these tribes of insects ; but simply that the 

 correct mode of applying the various characters, so as to 

 correspond with their natural relationships, has not been 

 discovered. 



These relations, whether of structure or of habit, must 

 have presented themselves to every one who has paid the 

 least attention to natural objects. Let us take an example 

 or two. Among the most powerful means of defence 

 possessed by insects, the sting, furnished with its atten- 

 dant bag of poison, occupies the foremost place, the pain 

 arising from which must probably, at one time or other. 



