20 PROGRESS OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



been directed to the internal organization of the Insect race, a 

 theme, though of infinite curiosity, by no means adapted in its 

 elaborate details to attract the general reader; but the 

 naturalists of the 18th century above noticed (with the ex- 



/ \ 



ception of Lyonnet), devoted their attention more to the works 

 and ways, the structure and economy of Insect communities 

 or individuals : subjects highly amusing, and except in the 

 nearly fabulous narrations of antiquity almost new ; yet for all 

 this, "charm she never so wisely/ Entomology had still few 

 charms for the public. De Geer, whose History of Insects 

 lias been pronounced above all praise, on publishing the first 

 volume of his work in 1752,* found it so ill received, that 

 instead of being devoured by readers, numerous impressions 

 were devoured by the flames to wliich they were consigned by 

 the disappointed author. In nineteen years, however, a great 

 change came over the public taste ; the second volume of his 

 work was eagerly received, and De Geer presented a copy of 

 it to the then " select few ' who had bought the first. The 

 Memoiresf of Reaumur, though less systematic than the above, 

 are yet more interesting, and, in spite of their prolixity, so full 

 of curious matter, apt illustrations, and lively remarks, that 

 a more amusing book can scarcely be found even for the 

 ireneral reader, provided he be a person of taste. 



Prom the glow-worm light in which it had so long glim- 

 mered, Entomology now shone, as it were, in the radiance of 



* Memoircs pour scrvir a 1'histoire des lusectes, 1752-82. 

 t Menioires pour servir a I'histoirc des Insectes. 



