404 
REVIEWS. 
THE INSECT WOELD.* 
O F all the classes of that great sub-kingdom of the Animal world — Annulosa 
— there is none which has in all ages received so much attention as that 
of Insecta. And this is not to he wondered at when we consider how mani- 
fold are the t5"pes of structure which it embraces j how exquisitely beautiful 
are the colours of many of its species, how marvellous the instinct (or reason) 
displayed by them, and how useful to mankind the products of their labours. 
They have supplied objects for observation to men of all classes and in all 
times, and they have been the creatures selected by the closest students of 
animal life which the world has produced. Dr. Geer, Keaumur, and Huber 
all made themselves famous by their studies of insects, and much as they 
have done to extend our knowledge, there is far more yet to be acquired of 
insect modes of life, than what is recorded in even our most recent works. 
It is required, then, to foster a love for the study of entomology — of 
entomology in its widest sense. Not the mere dry-as-dust pedantic 
abomination, which some of our impalers of unhappy flies would make 
the pm'suit; not the brain-degenerating study which finds its highest 
aim in the discovery of a variety which is straightway named in sesqui- 
pedalion dog-Latin ; but the entomology of the great men whose names 
we have mentioned — an entomology corresponding to Mr. Darwin’s 
study of botany — a study which helps to reveal natural phenomena and 
extend our knowledge of natural laws. This is what we want, but what 
we shall probably have long to wait for, till books like this one of M. 
Figuier’s have shown the young naturahst what a grand field of exploration 
lies before him. Kirby and Spence’s excellent work has doubtless done 
much, but it was a badly printed, unattractive volume ; and the multitude of 
works which have succeeded it have been of the taxological order of the 
most devoted species-hunter. In the fine volume which Messrs. Chapman 
and Hall have published we find a true, though by no means very modern 
natural history of insects. The author describes the general character of the 
class, and then divides it into the orders to be found, in most of our text- 
books. Under each order he describes the typical families, genera, and 
species, and goes not only into general natural history, but where it has a 
* ^‘The Insect World, being a Popular Account of the Orders of Insects, 
&c.” From the French of Louis Figuier. Illustrated by 554 woodcuts. 
London : Chapman and Hall, 1868. 
