Classification of Insects. 109 



is exemplified in the metamorphoses of Lepidoptera before 

 they fully pass into the condition of their pupa. So that, not- 

 withstanding their extensive metamorphoses, the mandibulate 

 insects must be placed altogether below the haustellate, even 

 below the Hemiptera ; and thus the classification proposed 

 at the outset seems fully justified by embryological evidence ; 

 and, if I am not mistaken, we shall in future consider Man- 

 dibulata as forming one great natural division among insects, 

 to be placed below the Haustellata. 



This conclusion furnishes another illustration of the fal- 

 lacy of our reasoning, when we allow ourselves to be guided 

 simply by analogy derived from other classes. If among the 

 higher animals we had not a natural series passing from man, 

 through monkeys to the carnivorous animals, I doubt very 

 much whether we should ever have been led to consider the 

 muscular power and the strength of the jaws as indicating 

 anywhere a higher degree of organisation. But this impres- 

 sion, which is correct among Mammalia, can no longer ob- 

 tain in other classes. We should, on the contrary, be better 

 advised, by this evidence, and in future derive our views, as 

 far as possible, solely from the classes to which they are to 

 be applied. 



The same evidence which shews Lepidoptera to rank high- 

 est among insects, shews also that insects as a class rank 

 higher than Crustacea. And it will not be out of place to 

 remember here the happy suggestion of Oken, who says, that 

 " Lepidoptera are born as Worms, then pass into the condi- 

 tion of Crustacea, and are finally developed into true insects, 

 exemplifying the natural order of gradation of the three 

 classes of Articulata." 



The detailed history of the metamorphoses of some Lepi- 

 doptera will sustain more fully the views introduced in the 

 preceding observations. 



(To be concluded in next Number.^) 



