4 NATURE'S CABINET. 



No inquisitive mind need complain of any want of keys for 

 the simple opening of that drawer in Nature's cabinet (a drawer 

 of gems) which has been labelled "Entomology.' Of these 

 there are an abundance, gilded keys of popular, as well as iron 

 keys of scientific manufacture, but the still prevailing want is an 

 incitement to place them in the lock. The works of Kirby and 

 Spence, Bennie and Jardine, Burmeister and Westwood, may 

 be said to furnish, pre-eminently, the gilded, or, with reference 

 to their intrinsic worth, the golden keys in question ; but 

 seeing how generally even these are left to tarnish on the 

 shelf, something would seem to be required as an incentive to 

 their more frequent handling. 



The most prevalent feeling about Insects, except, perhaps, 

 the "busy people" of the hive or the "painted populace" of 

 the garden, is that of indifference, if not distaste; and who of 

 the multitude thus ignorantly prepossessed, would seek for 

 books strictly devoted to their history, or believe that they 

 could find interest in the mere relation of their instincts, however 

 pleasantly detailed ? 



The first anxiety of a writer is, as all the world knows, to 



*/ 7 



establish a kindly sympathy between himself and his readers ; 

 but how can this be speedily created betwixt one who, as an 

 Entomologist, would seem to think of nothing but Insects, and 

 " the many " who have always regarded them as below a passing 

 thought? With even a slight knowledge, once acquired, of 

 their wondrous ways, the latter will be induced to a confession 



