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Monographia anoplurorum britanniae; or, An essay on the British species of parasitic insects belonging to the order anoplura of Leach, with the modern divisions of the genera according to the views of Leach, Nitzsch and Burmeister, with highly magnified figures of each species

Henry Denny · 1842 · Scanned text

82,175 words · about 5 h 45 min to read

Period artwork: Interior of the Bodleian Library, 1845
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About this book

Author
Henry Denny
Language
English
Published
1842
Length
82,175 words · about 5 h 45 min
Sections
6 reader sections
Text
Scanned text, read from page scans by OCR; may contain errors
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Public domain · PD-US by publication date

 

Contents (6)
  1. Front matter about 4 min
  2. Contents about 1 min
  3. Preface about 28 min
  4. Section I. H AUSTELL AT A- FAMILY L about 4 h 44 min
  5. Index about 3 min
  6. IV VII j:.au viu about 25 min

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Front matter

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Contents

Page.

Family I. — Pedicdlid^e, character of ,3

Artificial divisions of the Family - 4

Preface

In treating upon any subject at the present day, it is generally the practice or wish of the author to give importance to his labours or the object of his investigations, by impressing upon it the stamp of antiquity, from some Archaeological notice to which he can lay claim. If there is any intrinsic value to be attached to ancient Bibliographical notices, the author of the present Monograph is fortunate in being able to call some such to his aid.

As regards the period when Parasitic animals were first created, I shall not offer an opinion, the subject being one of those speculative theories which it is impossible to reduce to a demonstration. Though my venerable and esteemed friend, the father of British Entomologists, the Rev. Dr. Kirby, has conjectured, that Parasitic Insects infesting the human race, were not called into existence until after the fall of Adam. 44 Can we,” (he says), 44 believe that man in his pristine state of glory, and beauty, and dignity, could be the receptacle and prey of these unclean and disgusting creatures ?”*

If, however, we pass on to the period of the exode from Egypt, we then find not only a decided reference to the objects of our treatise, but an awful demonstration of the fact, that Jehovah can indeed make the weak things of this world to confound the mighty, and that however insignificant and puny these animals may appear individually, yet when marshalled in countless myriads at the fiat of the Almighty, as the instruments of His displeasure, they then produce results the most dreadful. 44 And the Lord said unto Moses, say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod and smite * Bridgewater Treatise, vol. I. p. 13.

Vlll

PREFACE.

the dust of the land, that it inay become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. — And they did so, for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man and in beast, all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.”* Notwithstanding the apparent simplicity of this passage, it has been the subject of much controversy between several learned commentators, — some supposing Flies or Gnats, and others Ticks were intended by the sacred historian. From being totally ignorant of the Hebrew language 1 cannot of course presume to decide the question as to its philological accuracy. But taking it in another point of view, it appears to me at least to be very evident, that the animals referred to by Moses, were identical with what we now know to infest man and beast, and designate Lice, for were Flies or Gnats intended to be understood by the term employed, the habits of the Insects would not be in accordance with what we know to be usual. And I do not think we are justified in supposing that the natural habits of the animals employed as plagues were at all altered. The only circumstance which rendered them so great a calamity was the surprising increase in their numbers, and the miraculous manner in which that increase was effected. The Locusts differed in no wise, in their general economy, from locusts of the present day. The Frogs again only became annoying from their extraordinary multitudes, which caused them to spread over the land, and enter the houses of the Egyptians. The Flies, in like manner, from their countless swarms, filled their habitations, and tormented both man and beast. But supposing we grant, for the sake of argument, that they were of the genera Chrysops Hcematopota , Stomoxys, CEstrus , and Culex , or of the family Hippoboscidce . This would have rendered nugatory the plague which immediately succeeded it, and is expressly stated to . * Exodus viii. 15, 17.

PREFACE.

IX be a “ swarm of Flies.” Again, as Bryant has attempted to shew, the plague of Lice was at once so humiliating, and in opposition to the enjoined habits of the people, that the priests and magicians perceived immediately from what hand it came. He remarks, “ The Egyptians affected great external purity, and were very nice both in their persons and clothing, bathing and making ablutions continually, uncommon care was taken not to harbour any vermin. They w'ere particularly solicitous on this head thinking it would be a great profanation of the temple which they entered, if any animalculae of this sort were concealed in their garments. The priests, says Herodotus, are shaved, both as to their heads and bodies, every third day, to prevent any louse or other detestable creature being found upon them when they are performing their duty to the Gods.* The same is mentioned by Plutarch, who adds, that all woollen was considered as foul, and from a perishable animal, but flax is the product of the immortal earth, it affords a delicate and pure covering, and is not at all liable to produce lice.f We may hence see what an abhorrence the Egyptians showed towards this sort of vermin, and what care was taken by the priests to guard against them. The judgments, therefore, inflicted by the hands of Moses, were adapted to their prejudices. It was consequently not only most noisome to the people in general, but was no small odium to the most sacred order in Egypt, that they were overrun with these filthy and detestable vermin. So far then, as the value of antiquity is concerned, I am safe, and the Parasitism of the Pediculi on our race, is recorded at a very early period of the history of the World. I must now, therefore, turn to the more immediate object of this treatise.

Herod, lib. II. c. 37. p. 1*21. t Plut. (de Isis et Osir. vol. II. p. 352. D.) t Bryant on the Plagues of Egypt, p 44-48.

b

X

PREFACE.

During the year 1827, three or four specimens of Pavo cristatus having passed through my hands, upon each of which I observed for the first time, several examples of the large and well marked parasite of this bird, the Goniodes falcicornis , I was induced to examine whatever other species of birds, &c. might come in my way, to ascertain whether great diversity in size or appearance existed between the parasites of different species or genera. This I soon found to be so considerable, that I resolved upon forming a collection, and ascertaining what was written upon the parasitic tribes.

In the prosecution of the former part of the task I found little difficulty, but with respect to the latter, I could make no progress, as no distinct treatises upon the families were in existence, and all that was available were either mere enumerations, without reference or figures, or occasional descriptions of species which were scattered through various works, many of which were not easy to procure, especially in provincial towns, where, in the majority of cases, works on Natural History are only sparingly to be found. I therefore proposed to myself the illustration of the Pediculidce and Nirmidce , under a conviction, that a work exclusively devoted to these families, concentrating all that was known, with figures of the species, however imperfectly it might be executed, was a desideratum to the Entomological Literature of this country. Upon communicating these views to my learned friend William Sharp Mac Leay, Esq., he strongly urged me to proceed, and promised all the assistance his own extensive knowledge of Entomology enabled him to give, as well as that assistance which his friendship could secure from other distinguished individuals. With such promises of aid I could no longer delay the commencement, and carrying on this essay to its completion, which, however, has greatly exceeded the limits 1 had calculated upon at the outset; still it is most probable many species remain unrecorded, as several of the rarer, and some

PREFACE.

XI of the more common of our quadrupeds and birds have been searched in vain.

The opinion that each and every animal has its own peculiar parasite, is not borne out by facts, for although in the majority of cases a distinct species of insect is found upon each particular animal, i. e. quadruped or bird, yet there are several instances where the same kind infests three or four different species of birds, but in such exceptions they are almost always confined to individuals of the same genera or family, or at least to species of similar habits. This is more strictly the case with birds than quadrupeds. For instance, Docophorus icteroides , I have found on nearly every species of duck which has come under my notice. I have received it from other birds also, but they were of aquatic habits, and belonging to the order Natatores. The Nirmus ohscurus infests several species of Sandpipers, Godwits, &c. The Nirmus rufus , upon several of the Hawks and Falcons ; and Docophorus Lari upon nearly all the Gulls. In the instances among quadrupeds, it is rather doubtful whether the species is common to two different animals or not, or whether they may not have been merely transferred by associating or frequenting the same place of abode ; as for example, the Trichodectes scalaris found upon both the Ox and the Ass, where the animals are feeding in the same stall, or sleep together, a transfer of property might easily be made. The Hcematopinus Piliferous infests Dogs, and I have received specimens from the Ferret, which last animal was said to swarm with them. Here it is rather difficult to account for the occurrence, as I am not aware that the two animals ever live upon friendly terms with each other; and moreover, the person from whom I received them informed me he had not a dog. When we extend our observations to genera, we find they take a much wider range, and it is in only two or three cases, that we could with any confidence assert that they

b 2 xn

PREFACE.

were diagnostic of certain families of Vertebrata. It is easy to say whether they are belonging to quadruped or bird, but more difficult to pronounce the peculiar family of either, as some genera of each division appear perfect cosmopolites ; as for instance, the genus Pediculus of Linn, (since divided into Pediculus and Hsematopinus), besides infesting Man, is also found in the orders Quadrumana , on Monkeys ; Hodentia , on the Squirrel, Hare, Rabbit, Water Rat; Carnivora , on the Dog and Seal ; Pachydermata , on the Swine, Ass, and Camel ; Puminantia, on the Deer, Ox, and Buffalo. The genus Nirmus again is very extensively spread, infesting every order of birds but the Gallinacea. Docophorus all but Gallinacea and Columbidce ; Lipeurus infesting the orders Gallinacea , Grallce , Palmipedes, and Accipitres, while on the other hand, a few, as I have stated, are nearly certain indexes to the families — Eureum only on Chelidones , Trinoton only on Palmipedes , Goniocotes and Goniodes only on Gallinacea and Columbidce , Gyropus only on the Guinea Pig in this country. Dr. Burmeister enumerates a species also from the Ai (Bradypus tridactylus), and lastly, the genus Phthirius on Man.

From the great diversity in colour and size during life, and alteration of form and change of colour after death, considerable difficulty has been felt in coming to correct conclusions as to the proper form and colour of individual species, and even now the author is not without fear, that he may be charged with error. To this, however, he has only to reply, that as far as possible he has endeavoured to avoid misrepresentation, by re-drawing many species when fresh specimens could be procured, and even after some had been committed to copper, he has been compelled to re-engrave them. He therefore hopes upon this point to be criticised with mercy : again, so considerable is the difference that exists between the early and adult state of many species, that their identity could only be inferred by

PREFACE.

XU1 examining a series of specimens, by which means he has in many cases removed doubts ; still he fears that in others, where he has not had this advantage, some specimens figured as species may eventually prove the young of others. One instance has occurred since the 12th plate was engraved, the 3rd figure of which Dr. Burmeister informs me is only the young of Goniodes falcicornis , which I shall not dispute. Though I would observe, that in examining specimens of the G. Still fer9 Tetraonis and Compar , at various ages, I do not see such a difference in the structure of the antennae, as exists between these two insects.

In the progress of this work, however, the author has had to contend with repeated rebukes from his friends for entering upon the illustration of a tribe of insects whose very name was sufficient to create feelings of disgust. u Why not take up some more interesting or popular department of Entomology ,” has been the frequent remark made to him. He considered, however, that if he wished to render any service to science, he must not consult popular taste or ephemeral fashion, but must take a page from that part of the great Book of Nature,* less generally read, and consequently, less understood and appreciated by the world at large. f The habits or size of an animal should form no item in the scale of man’s estimation as to its usefulness. That each is formed especially for some part in the economy of the universe, and that its structure is admirably and peculiarly adapted and constructed for the accomplish-

* “ Nature is a book written on both sides within and without, in which the finger of God is clearly visible, a species of Holy writ in a bodily form — a glorious Panegyric, as it were, on God’s Omnipotence, expressed in the most vivid symbols. The outer part of this sacred volume attests the supreme power, wisdom, and goodness of the Creator in characters too clear and luminous to be unperceived or misread by the dullest or the most vitiated eye. The inner pages comprise a still more glorious revelation, but their language is more mysterious.” — Fred, von Schlegel, Phil, of Life, p. 85.

t There are yet “ in the instructive book of nature, many leaves which hitherto no mortal 1ms perused.’’ — Pontoppidcin, Pref. p. 1.

XIV

PREFACE.

ment of its office, no rational being can for an instant doubt. Therefore, if we cannot in every instance see the immediate end and object of their existence, it is surely more becoming our humility to admire in ignorance the wisdom of God in the works of creation, from a conviction that, that which is is right, than vainly endeavour to scrutinize or criticise the individual links of that chain by which all nature is kept in harmony and order ; since the smallest, or the most loathsome creatures to human conception are alike to that Being, “ Who giveth food to all flesh, for his mercy endureth for ever.” The habits or history of the intestinal worms are, perhaps, equally unpleasing or disgusting to the partial admirers of nature. Yet by the laborious investigations and patient research of Rudolphi, 993* species of Entozoa have been described in his im mortal Ento zoorum Synopsis, by which he has erected for himself an imperishable monument, shewing that to a man of such gigantic powers of mind, whose studies embraced nearly every department of science, the noxious and obscure claimed his especial attention, well knowing that it was the same, whether with devout awe we contemplate the spanless arch of Heaven, lit up with countless myriads of distant glittering worlds, and endeavour to trace the laws by which they are governed and guided through the vast of space, or reduce our investigations to the structure and habits of those humble semi-motionless beings whose dwelling-place is cast in the Hepatic cells, or Cerebral sinuses of the sheep, the eye ball of the Perch, or the 20 species which infest almost every portion of the human frame, f all, and each alike dis-

* Linnaeus had indicated only 11 species of intestinal worms in the 12th edition of his Syst. Nat. Gmelin in the 13th edition 299. Zeder. 391. Rudolphi’s first great work on intestinal worms, Entozoorum historia naturalis, contains descriptions of 603.

t More than 20 of these pestiferous creatures that attack man have been enumerated, some penetrate into the very seat of thought, (Echinococcus Hominis,) others disturb his bile, (Fasciola hepatica,) others circulate with

PREFACE.

XV play the wisdom, power, and all-superintending care of the Lord of earth and sky, who in the beginning created the heavens and the earth, with all that they contain, and who equally gives to man for his guidance and instruction his word and his works.

44 In His Creation as in His government, the Creator embraces at all times, with His all-comprehending kindness the innumerable and the unbounded — the infinitesimals, as well as the immensities of nature — the invisible from disappearing smallness, no less than the imperceptible from incalculable remoteness. We may overlook what is petty as beneath the notice of our pride ; but nothing, however small, has been deemed worthless, or is disregarded by Him, whom no name or language can sufficiently describe ; whose power is Omnipotence; whose presence is universal; whose knowledge is omniscience ; whose creations extend and constitute space ; and whose existence is eternity.”

u These are thy glorious works, thou Source of good !

How dimly seen, how faintly understood!

Thine and upheld by thy paternal care,

This universal frame, thus wondrous fair;

Thy power divine, and bounty beyond thought,

Adored and praised in all that thou hast wrought.

Absorb’d in that immensity I see,

I shrink abas’d, and yet aspire to thee ;

Instruct me, guide me to that heavenly day,

Thy words, more clearly than thy works display,

That, while thy truths my grosser thoughts refine,

I may resemble thee, and call thee mine.”

Cowper.

the blood in his veins, (Linguatula Venarum,) others again are seated in his kidneys, (Strongilus gigas,) others in his muscles, (Hydatigera cellulosa,) the guinea worm, (Filaria medinensis,) in his cellular tissue : the ovaries of females arc infested by another (Linguatula pinguicula), the tape-worms extend themselves joint by joint to an enormous length in his intestines, (Tamia solium and Botryocephalus Hominis,) some select the large intestine (Trichocephalus Hominis), and others, the small ones, (Ascarus lumbricoides,) some even attack infants, and them only, (Oxyurus vcrmicularis.) — 11 Kirby's Bridgewater Treatise ,” Vol. 1. p. 324.

XVI

PREFACE.

A difference of opinion appears to have existed amongst Entomologists, as to whether the Pediculidae and Nirmidae, undergo any metamorphoses. The late distinguished Professor Nitzsch, who had paid more attention to the History of the Epizoica than perhaps any other Zoologist of the present day, in his paper on the families and genera of animal insects.* says — “ Metamorphosis indistincta subnulla, (larva pupaque agili, currente, vorante, imagini persimili).” Our own talented countryman, the late Dr. Leach, who had also attended to the economy of this tribe, and contemplated publishing upon them, was satisfied they underwent no change, at least not such as we consider metamorphosis. Hence he placed th m in his sub-class Ametabolia (insects undergoing no metamorphosis), while Dr. Burmeister, whom I consider the first authority for this tribe of insects, arranges them under his sub-class Hemimetabola. (“Insects with an imperfect metamorphosis, i. e. larva, pupa, and perfect insect, strongly resembling each other, the pupa possessing locomotion and eating.” — ) This last I consider the most correct view which can be taken, for although there is not a metamorphosis as in the more persect insects, consisting of larva, pupae, and imago, widely differing from each other in general appearance, habits, and functions ; yet a series of semi-transformations takes place in the shedding of the skin a definite number of times, by which the individual acquires a greater symmetry of form and appearance, and roost probably a greater perfection of parts or organs ; though the latter may not be so evident to our sight as in the former. Having obtained several nits or ova of Hcematopinus , Eurysternus , and Suis , and placed the same in a quill which I carried in my waistcoat pocket, from the warmth they thus received I soon became sole proprietor of a family of my young friends. These I examined soon after their exit from the ova, but

* Die Familien und Gattungen der Thierinsekten, Von Dr. C. L. Nitzsch. — Germar’s Magazin der Entomologie, iii. pp. 261, 316.

PREFACE.

XVII could not discover such a difference in their appearance, as would have led me to suppose them in the larvae state ; the antennae and legs were much thicker in proportion to the bulk of the whole body, than when full grown : in fact they bore pretty much the same resemblance to the mature insect, that a lamb bears to a ewe, being ill proportioned in the legs, &c. In point of activity, however, they much exceeded the adult, and moved with a degree of rapidity not usual to such insects, at least to the Family Pediculidae. In many species as will subsequently appear, a very great difference in colour and markings is observable after each moult, so much so, that unless an opportunity of examining a series of all sizes and ages occurs, the identity of the species would scarcely be conjectured* Lastly, Mr. Westwood, in his able and elaborate Introduction to the Modern Classification of Insects, holds the same opinion as Dr. Leach, that these animals undergo no metamorphosis, and from his investigations having induced him to consider a distinct metamorphosis as the fundamental characteristic of the class Insecta, he consequently excludes the Lice (Anoplura), as well as the Spring-tailed Insects (Thysanura), from the class Insecta altogether : I could have wished Mr. Westwood had given his views as to what class he considered they ought to belong — ? With respect to the Classification and Natural History of this remarkable order of parasites, although both have been neglected, there is not such diversity of opinion concerning the former as there is obscurity and paucity in the latter. In the earliest attempt at the classification of animals with which we are .acquainted, that of Aristotle (330, B.C.), there is a division of the insects, ’'Evro^ua, into two orders, deduced from the presence or absence of wings, whence we have }'E vro/ua TTTiXwra, and ’'Evrojiia anrepa ; divisions considered so perfectly natural as to have been retained by nearly all succeeding writers. Though the peculiar insects with which xvm

PREFACE.

we have to do are not alluded to, yet we may be sure they were classed by him under his second order Aptera, and which, although containing an heterogenous assemblage of insects of very different habits and economy, but agreeing in the one character of being wingless, we find adhered to in the subsequent systems of Swammerdam, Linnaeus, De Geer, Clairville, Cuvier, Kirby, &c : in other systems it forms the basis, although different terms are employed. The first attempt at figuring or enumerating species occurs ( I believe) in Hooke’s Micrographia, 1665, in which is a good plate of Pediculus Humanus. In 1685, Swammerdam’s 44 Biblia Naturae” appeared, containing elaborate anatomical details of the same insect. Redi, in 1688, produced his 44 Esperienze Intorno alia Generazione Degl’ Insetti,” with thirty-four figures of the Lice of Mammalia and Birds. In 1736 Albin published his 44 Natural History of Spiders, and other curious Insects,” wherein are figures of all those species given by Redi. From 1761 to 1781 appeared the Systema Naturae, and Fauna Suecica of Linnaeus — Scopoli’s Entomologia Carniolica — Geoffrey’s Histoire abregee des Insectes — O. Fabricius’s Fauna Grcenlandica — Fabricius’s Systema Entomologiae, and Species Insectorum, with one or two other works of less note, in all of which are enumerated or described several species of Pediculus , for up to this period no writer appears to have considered a separation necessary of the Mandibulata from the Haustellata, but all were united under the Genus Pediculus. In 1783, however, De Geer in his 44 Genera et Species Insectorum,” attempted a revision, and divided the skin-eaters from the true blood-sucking Lice, under the generic name of Ricinus. Panzer and Clairville, however, who followed soon after, retained the old grouping of such different organizations under one Genus. In 1804 Dr Hermann produced his 44 Memoire Apterologique,” in which he recognized a distinction similar to that established by De Geer, but gave

PREFACE.

XIX the Mandibulata the generic name of Nirmus , which was retained in the works of several subsequent writers. In 1806 Latrielie gave the world his Genera Crustaceorum et Insectorum,” in which, under the Order Parasita, which he had instituted in 1796, he arranged both Pediculi and Nirmi, the first as a family denominated Edentula, the second Mandibulata. In 1815 Lamarck published that part of his Histoire Naturelle des Animaux sans Vertebres, which contained insects, arranged with slight variations, according to a system he had propounded many years before, in which the Hexapod aptera are placed with the Arachnidae. The Haustellate species as the Genus Pediculus ; the Mandibulate as the Genus Ricinus. In the same year Dr. Leach published in the Edinburgh Encyclopaedia an arrangement of insects into orders, and placed them with the Parasita and Thysanura (which Lamarck had removed to the Arachnida), the former constituting a new order, Anoplura , in which the Suctorial group is sub-divided into three genera — Phthirius , Pediculus , and Hcematopinus ; the masticating group, remaining under the Genus Nirmus. In 1818 Dr. Nitzsch published in Germar’s Magazine der Entomologie, a Prodromus of the families and genera of Animal Insects (Insecta epizoica), in which an extensive sub -division of the Nirmi is effected, the characters of genera and sub-genera laid down, and upwards of eighty species enumerated, the order Aptera is abolished, and the wingless genera located under such other orders as they appear to be most nearly allied to: thus the Mandibulata with the Orthoptera, and the Haustellata with the Hemiptera. In 1821 MacLeay’s Horae Entomologicae appeared, a work exhibiting a profound knowledge of the natural affinities and analogies of the whole of the Annulose tribes. In this system the Pediculidae and Nirmidae underwent little or no change as to rank. The class Insecta is sub-divided into three supposed equal sub-classes — Mandibulata, Haustellata, and Ametabola, in the last

XX

PREFACE.

of which is placed the Anoplura ; the first two agreeing in undergoing a distinct metamorphosis, but differing from each other in their oral apparatus : the third differing from the two preceding in not undergoing any perfect metamorphosis, but agreeing with them in containing insects, of both the divisions Haustellata and Mandibulata. In 1826 Messrs. Kirby and Spence, in the fourth vol. of their justly celebrated Introduction to Entomology, inserted a classification of Insects in accordance with their views : where we find our Parasites again placed in an order Aptera, but of a more comprehensive character than usual, embracing three sub-orders: the Hexapods (Thysanura and Anoplura of Leach), the Octopods (Arachnides Tracheales of Latr.), and the Polypods (the PTyriapoda of Leach and Latr.). In 1829 Mr. Stephens produced his Systematic Catalogue of British Insects, in which, under the second division of the Class Insecta, Haustellata, the Lice constitute solely the Order Aptera, rather a striking contrast to the preceding, which included so many.* From 1835 to 1840 Dr. Burmeister published his Handbook of Entomology, and Genera Insectorum, containing a system of classification, and descriptions of a number of species of Anoplura ; the arrangement followed is that of Nitzsch with additions. The Pediculidce , under a new order Rhynchota, and the Nirmidce under that of Mallophaga, divisions equivalent to Mandibulata and Haustellata, or to the Orders Hemiptera and Orthoptera. The division of the Rhynchota, is in accordance with Dr. Leach’s system into three genera : the general grouping of the Genera and Sub-Genera being such as meet my views. I have adopted it in this Monograph, with a slight modification, viz. : retaining the Order Anoplura of Leach, and reducing those of Rhynchota and Mallophaga to the rank of Sub-Orders. The annexed Table which I have sketched will exhibit more clearly my ideas.

- * See note! pagexxiv.

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XXII

PREFACE.

As it was an indispensable part of my investigation to attach a specific appellation to each species which appeared undescribed, of which there occurred ninety-three ; I have been most anxious, in every instance, to avoid giving a fresh name where one was already in existence, when this could be ascertained, but in many cases it has been impracticable, from the fact, that although a great number of species have been named and described by the late Professor Nitzsch, his MSS. have not been published, thereby precluding the opportunity of comparing specimens with his characters. This loss has been partially compensated for by the worthy successor of Nitzsch to the chair of Zoology in the University of Halle, Dr. Burmeister having characterized several species in his valuable works, the “ Handbook of Entomology” and ct Genera Insectorum.” The remainder, it is to be hoped, will soon be made public in an extensive work Dr. B. is at present engaged upon, on the whole of the Theirinsecten or Epizoica of Nitzsch, comprising several hundred species. To fulfil this task no individual has such ample means at his disposal of doing justice to the subject, not only from his profound research and intimate acquaintance with the science, but from his succeeding to the invaluable and extensive collection of specimens, as well as the MSS. of his predecessor. In expectation, therefore, of so valuable a contribution to the Entomological literature of Europe, I wish this Monograph to be considered as only a Prodromus of the Anoplura of Great Britain, inasmuch as many additions will undoubtedly be made of species which I have not had the good fortune to obtain ; and in every instance where I have given a specific appellation wish it to be provisional, and superseded by any other which may be thought more appropriate, or which may claim priority, but of whose existence I was ignorant. Indeed, had I been aware of the above work of Dr. Burmeister’s, before I commenced my attempt at illustrating the same

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