633 
a Family of Coleopterous Insects. 
which are not named. In the Genera Crustaceorum $c. we 
learn, however, that Latreille received the P. microcephalus 
“ ex dono generosissimi amici Domini Alex. MacLeay.” As, 
however, it is not probable that Mr. MacLeay would have for- 
warded this species to Latreille, unless the specimen forwarded 
were a duplicate in his collection, it appears to follow, either 
that Mr. MacLeay must have obtained other specimens of the 
insect from abroad, or that he had procured the original Lin- 
nean specimen from its then possessor, as well as that belonging 
to Mr. Drury, and had forwarded one of them to Latreille. 
Should this latter supposition be correct, it affords an additional 
instance of the want of that true spirit of veneration towards 
the scientific relics of Linnfeus which every disciple of that 
great master ought to entertain, and which (although it was 
sufficiently strong to induce our late President, in consequence 
of his predilection for botanical studies, to preserve the botanical 
treasures of Linnaeus untouched and in their original and entire 
condition, and sacred for the interest of science,) it is greatly to 
be regretted did not also operate with him to prevent the incor- 
poration of the Linnean cabinet of insects with his own private 
collection. Had this, however, been the only cause of regret, the 
mischief might easily have been remedied ; but the entomologist 
has also to regret that the original Linnean specimens, and, as 
in this instance before us, even species, were in many instances 
allowed to be changed, probably for the purpose of renovating 
the collection, whereby the authenticity of the cabinet has un- 
fortunately been diminished to so great a degree, that amongst 
the minute insects it is now almost unsafe, without the greatest 
possible caution, to rely on the collection as a standard of re- 
ference. It is not, however, too late to remedy much of the 
mischief which has been thus occasioned ; and I state these cir- 
cumstances in the hope of inducing the influential members of 
4 m 2 the 
