ON THE CET0NIIDJ5 OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



9 



the above awkward one of genera. A family, in entomology, is held to be the next groupe 

 in rank above genera; as, indeed, I myself consider it. I only differ from others in the value of 

 the word genera. What, for instance, is the consequence if Cuvier's definition of genera be 

 adopted ? A most natural groupe has been marked out, and distinguished under the name 

 of CetoniidcB. In process of time some naturalist discovers within it other combinations of 

 groupes which he considers genera, because, so far as he knows, they are the first groupes 

 of species. Gnorimus, for instance, is such a groupe of species. Our naturalist forthwith 

 calls it a genus : and he observes, that a number of such genera combine to form another 

 groupe, which he calls Trichiidce. Of course, he makes this combination of " genera" a family ; 

 and knowing that it cannot possibly be of the same rank as the original family of which it 

 only forms a part, he is obliged to change the name of this from Cetoniidce to Melitophilce. 

 It is thus that we have now every day such " families" formed as Sericida, Diplotaxida, &c., 

 excellent groupes perhaps in themselves, but which their authors have been led away by a mere 

 love of changing names, to consider as equivalent in rank to true families, such as Trogidce, 

 and Rutelid(B. Any person gifted with a pair of eyes can analyse. The difficulty is to 

 employ synthesis. In botany, every fraction of the ancient families has in like manner been 

 also called a family, and the consequent confusion arrived at such a pitch, that Bartling 

 and Lindley have lately been obliged to attempt the re-grouping, if T may so express myself, 

 of the modern small "families" of plants. I have in the following observations on the 

 Cetoniidcd, also endeavoured to avoid this confusion, and to preserve consistency ; first, by 

 considering such new-fangled families, as the " Trichiadce," " Sericidts," " Diplotaxida,'' 

 " Goliathid(Z,'' kc. to be only genera or sub-genera, containing minor groupes of species ; and, 

 secondly, by keeping them in proper subordination to their original families, the Cetoniidcs, Melo- 

 lontliidce, &c. These last, as families, I also agree to be the next groupes above genera, once that 

 I have conveniently defined families to be the sixth degree of groupe downwards from the 

 animal kingdom. Having said this much, I am ready to allow in behalf of those who are so 

 fond of imposing new names on the science, at whatever expense of confusion, that if, for instance, 

 a sub-section of Goliathus like that which is called Mecynorhina, by my friend Mr. Hope, 

 be considered a genus, it follows, that the next groupe above it, and of which Mecynorhina 

 forms a part, — viz. the groupe which I call Smithii, may, without blame, be called a family. 

 But then such a family would be the ninth degree of groupe downvi^ards from the animal kingdom. 



In order to exhibit clearly the place of the Cetoniida in nature, I shall now give the 

 following series of groupes. 



Regnum, ANIMALIA. 



1. Suhregnum, ANNULOSA. 



2. Classis, MANDIBULATA. 



3. Ordo, COLEOPTERA. 



4. Tribus, CHILOGNATHOMORPHA. 



5. Stirps, PETALOCERA, THALEROPHAGA. 

 6. Familia, CETONIID^. 

 Although I observe that of late various entomologists of great reputation have been 

 designating famihes without venturing to give characters to them, I shall not follow their 

 example; since I consider no name of the least weight that has not some character 

 attached to it, enabling us to discover the accurate limits of the groupe which that 

 name designates. It may be true that we have not always the good fortune to alight on the 



c 



