NUMBER OF INSECT SPECIES. 55 



supposed superiority of the extent of the coleopterous order. 

 Dr. Burmeister considers that the actually known species of 

 insects may be thus distributed : — 



Coleoptera .... 36,000 

 Lepidoptera .... 12,000 

 Hymenoptera .... 12,000 



Diptera 10,000 



Hemiptera .... 4,000 

 Other insects .... 4,000 

 Mr. Stephens's British catalogue shows the following pro- 

 portions ; but it must be observed, that the attention lately 

 bestowed upon the minute Hymenoptera and Diptera have 

 raised their numbers very considerably : — 



Coleoptera 3300 



Lepidoptera .... 1838 



Hymenoptera .... 2054 

 Diptera . . . . . 1671 



Hemiptera 605 



Other insects .... 544 

 Now it must be evident, that unless some convenient and 

 easily applicable mode of classifying these vast masses be 

 adopted, the mind will be compelled to remain in a state of 

 the most profound darkness as to their general character and 

 relations. 



The annulose or insect sub-kingdom has, therefore, been 

 divided, in the first place, into several primary classes, each 

 of which comprises a number of secondary groups, to which 

 Linnaeus applied the name of Orders. 



These secondary groups are exceedingly varied in their 

 extent, and are, therefore, respectively divisible into a greater 

 or less number of groups, and gradually decreasing in value 

 until our arrival at the families, genera, and species. 



The modern nomenclature of natural history is a subject 

 respecting which we constantly hear great objections raised. 



