the wings, &c. The next step in the process of subdivision is commonly to families, which consist of a group of genera agreeing in certain general characters. Subordinate to this is the group termed a genus, comprehending species conformable to each other in all essential parts and organs. The species is the lowest gradation of all, unless a variety be taken into account; the former has been well defined as a natural object whose differences from those most nearly related to it, had their origin when it came from the hands of the Creator; while those that characterise the latter have been produced since that event. Other groups besides these are occasionally adopted by systematists, but as scarcely two ever use them in precisely the same acceptation, their value and import must be learned from the definition each particular author assigns to them.
Order I.—Coleoptera.
Having already devoted one of the volumes of this series to the consideration of this important order, we must refer to it for a pretty full account of its peculiarities, as well as the history and representation of many of its most remarkable species. The space which must be reserved for the exposition of the orders not yet entered upon, prevents us attempting more in relation to it in this place, than to give a brief recapitulation of its most prominent features, and a few particulars supplementary to what has been already stated.
