98 
SYSTEM OF NATURE. 
novelties into their systems, have yet, by their brilliant ta¬ 
lents and steadfast industry, contributed greatly to advance 
the science of Entomology. Without attempting even to 
enumerate these, I must mention a work which has laid 
the foundation of all that has lately been done in Britain. 
I allude to Samouelle’s c Useful Compendium.’ It is not 
for me to decide what portion of this work is due to the 
author whose name it bears, but I must not pass over un¬ 
noticed a name occurring in every page,—that of William 
Elford Leach, a naturalist whose memory is endeared to 
all who knew him, and will hereafter be regarded with 
veneration by every student of Entomology while that 
science has a single votary. Coupled with the name of 
Leach and British Entomology, I must also mention Mr. 
Stephens, the author of a complete c Catalogue of British 
Insects,’ a work exhibiting great talent, research and labour. 
The tabular view of Latreille’s arrangement, given on 
the preceding page, may be regarded as an epitome of 
the science of Entomology as studied at the present day; 
and, having been published many years subsequently to the 
labours of Leach, must be considered as incorporating the 
views of that distinguished naturalist. 
From this review of the history of Entomology — 
which, though confessedly too brief and superficial, 
displays the opinions of all the masters in the science — 
it will be gathered that a natural group of animals does 
exist, to which the names of Insecta, Articulata, Annulosa, 
Condylopoda, &c., have been applied. It now remains 
for us to enquire into the integrity of this group : on this 
subject I have entertained many and oft-recurring doubts, 
and am willing to admit that my opinions have more than 
once undergone a change. 
