65 



superseded that of Fabricius, next claims a remark. 

 Its chief merit is derived from taking into its con- 

 sideration the general external structure of insects, 

 regarding every structure of form which appeared 

 prominent, it has received the name of the Eclective 

 System Clairville, Dr. Leach, Mr. William Sharpe 

 MacLeay, successively gave to the world the re- 

 sult of their researches, containing much invaluable 

 matter. The last author relied greatly on the meta- 

 morphosal character of insects, and formed his im- 

 portant groups from the larval state of insects. In 

 the Horae Entomologicae will be found embodied^his 

 opinions, a truly philosophical work — one evincing 

 a great acquaintance, not with Entomology only, 

 but with the classes and orders of the Vertebrata as 

 well as the Invertebrata. The Eclective System, 

 united with the Metamorphosal characters proposed 

 by Mr. MacLeay, required only another addition to 

 perfect it; that has happily been suggested by 

 Mr. Newport in the proposed adoption of the in- 

 ternal anatomy, comprehended under the nervous 

 system. As far as I am capable of judging, the 

 proposed system if rightly followed out, is likely to 

 prove the best of clues to thread the intricate mazes 

 of natural arrangement. 



We see then, from the foregoing observations, 

 that Entomological Systems, like specious theories, 

 have been adopted and abandoned ; others doubtless 

 will arise, enjoy an ephemeral reputation, and then 

 fade and be forgotten. The system of Linneus 



