»*«\ 



354 ON A SOUTH AMERICAN 



from others, regardless of the number of words that 

 may be required for this purpose. 



It is to be regretted that some very distinguished 

 zoologists, perceiving as they must this grand impedi- 

 ment to the determination of species, still, by theii 

 example, perpetuate and increase this grievance, con- 

 sidering it sufficient for them to add to a very laconic 

 description, a reference to a cabinet in which the spe- 

 cimen may be inspected, by the comparatively few 

 persons who have the opportunity. 



Now, although a reference to a cabinet specimen 

 ought to be considered as the duty of the describer of 

 every animal, plant or mineral, whenever such refe- 

 rence is at all possible, yet it nevertheless seems also 

 indispensable, that a detailed description, including 

 many characters, should at the same time be given for 

 the information of the distant naturalist or traveller, 

 in order that its utility may not be limited exclusive- 

 ly to our compatriots. 



Amongst a multitude of short and insufficient des- 

 criptions, or rather indications, we find in Turton's 

 edition of the Systema Naturae, the following notice, 

 translated from Gmelin, of the existence of a very re- 

 markable insect. 



"GEstkus hominis. Body entirely brown. In- 

 habits South America. Linne ap. Pall, nord Beytr. 

 p. 157. Deposits its eggs under the skin, on thebellies 

 of the natives ; the larva, if it be disturbed, pene- 

 trates deeper and produces an ulcer which frequent- 

 ly becomes fatal." 



This insect, for the identifying of which we have 



