PREFACE. XXV 



sued both by them and by himself. The conclusions 

 thus arrived at, it is true, have been very different; 

 but the author would by no means be understood to 

 offer his own to the public as rigidly correct. He 

 wishes, on the contrary, that they may be subjected 

 to the same criticism, that with the same doubt and 

 constant reference to nature for their accuracy, they 

 may be examined by those entomologists who would 

 explore the same path. And if when assayed by this 

 last only legitimate test, an error in the following 

 remarks shall be detected, he trusts that he shall 

 at least experience as much pleasure as vexation 

 on being brought to a knowledge of the truth. 



It may now be well to conclude this long pre- 

 face with a few words on the manner in which the 

 following investigation has been conducted. The 

 author's first endeavour, after discovering the prin- 

 cipal affinities, was to ascertain the connexion that 

 might exist between the general structure of the 

 animal and its manner of living. This in many 

 cases, from our ignorance of physiological entomo- 

 logy, was impossible; but in the organs of mandu- 

 cation the author conceived himself in no danger 

 of violating the order of nature, by examining whe- 

 ther the texture and form of these bore any regular 

 relation to their uses, and more particularly to the 

 quality of their food. Such a plan, it was true, 

 came in direct opposition to that of the celebrated 



