n889.] 



THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



19 



the labours of many observers in recording facts before a sufficient 

 basis of knowledge was obtainable on which to found any system at 

 all. As an example of this want, we may cite the singular classifi- 

 cation of Antonio Vallisnerri, early in the 17th century. This ingen- 

 ious systematist divides all insects as follows : — 



1. Insects that live on plants. 



2. Those that live in water. 



3. Those that live among stones. 



4. Those that devour flesh. 



The crude result of theory unsupported by detailed observation is 

 here apparent. 



But among the few observing entomologists of this period, two 

 names merit our notice more especially, they are both those of Dutch- 

 men. Goedart published his first work "Metamorphosis Insectorum" 

 in 1662, this most interesting book with its careful plates engraved by 

 , the author himself, deals principally with life histories and descrip- 

 tions ; the author does not attempt much classification and only 

 describes 19 beetles altogether. A name that is more familiar is that 

 of Swammerdam who may fairly be placed in the first rank of 

 naturalists. His laborious investigations into the economy and 

 anatomy of Insects, Crustaceans, and Mollusca, considering the 

 slender and often erroneous records he had to work upon and the rude 

 instruments in his power, are simply marvellous. His great book the 

 " Biblia Naturae " was published in 1658, and contains the most 

 elaborate descriptions copiously illustrated by plates, of all kinds of 

 insects and crustaceans. The system of classification adopted by 

 Swammerdam, if system it can be called, was based on the pupa or 

 nymph as he called it ; it is decidedly interesting and shows a con- 

 siderable advance on his predecessors. He divides all insects, which 

 in his time was an appellation much more comprehensive than it is 

 now, into two major groups: — 



1. Without metamorphosis, under which heading come Arachnida, 



Myriapoda, and Entomostacae. 



2. With metamorphosis, which includes all the true insects. 



No. 2. division is again split up into three minor groups according 

 to shape and movements of pupa?. 



The first division has pupae which are locomotive and articulated, 

 Y of this are Orthoptera, Neuroptera, Hemiptera. 



i: No. 2 has an articulated pupa, but a motionless one, including 

 Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and most of the Hymenoptera. 



No. 3 has the pupa vermiform, that is without visible limbs, and 



