XIV PREFACE. 



the subject-matter of this second part of my 

 Manual. 



The group under consideration has been deno- 

 minated the Adephaga; the first sub-group of 

 which are the Cicindeloidea, which, according to my 

 views, consist of four families, the Manticoridse, 

 the Megacephalidae, Cicindelidse, and Collyridae. 

 As I am not satisfied with the published arrange- 

 ment of any one author as a whole, I have, in the 

 following groups, taken advantage of the labours of 

 my predecessors, sometimes following one and some- 

 times another, according as their views coincide 

 with mine, or where I consider they have more 

 ably threaded the intricate labyrinths of Nature 

 than myself. 



It should ever be the chief object of writers on 

 Natural History, to make their groups as conform- 

 able to nature as possible : human systems ever must 

 be artificial and imperfect, indeed it is presumptuous 

 in man to fancy that he can attempt a system uni- 

 form with nature in all its bearings. How can a 

 finite being comprehend the wisdom of Omniscience, 

 or even the exquisite perfection of creation's works, 

 conceived by a Power that is infinite as well as 

 incomprehensible . 



The author of this Preface hopes that, in the 



