422 Principal British Insects : — Termiiiology, 



neglected or despised by the generality of mankind, as a 

 pursuit of too trifling a character to engage the attention of a 

 rational mind, yet, as has been wisely said of it, " the 

 Creator, the more to illustrate his wisdom, power, and skill, 

 has decreed that the minuter animals shall be more complex, 

 in all respects, than the mighty monarchs of the forest or the 

 flood." 



When we contemplate the infinite number, variety, and 

 formation of insects, consider their transmutations, economy, 

 and powers, attend to their qualities, their utility or injury to 

 mankind, and their important place in completing the chain of 

 animated nature, we are filled with wonder and astonishment. 

 The structure of these little beings, their various functions 

 and curious manners, are of the most interesting description. 

 Their instincts, for their own preservation or that of their 

 progeny, almost exceed belief; and their ravages on the 

 works of man, and on the objects of his care, are the imme- 

 diate causes of vigilance on his part, which ultimately operates 

 to his benefit in a great variety of ways. Many who have 

 never had either opportunity or inclination to enter on the 

 study of insects, may feel something like surprise when they 

 learn that, besides being the plagues, and sometimes the minis- 

 ters of vengeance, to humble the pride, and punish the indo- 

 lence or ingratitude of man, they also supply the gorgeous 

 habiliments of princes, the rallying ensigns of heroes, and the 

 Tyrian dye for sacerdotal and magisterial vestments. From 

 them are derived increments to the healing art, as well as to 

 diet; and, above all, some of the lowest orders of these puny 

 tribes, have even the power to change some of the features of 

 the earth itself. 



Before proceeding to the description of any insect, it is 

 necessary to explain the terminology made use of by ento- 

 mologists. I shall confine myself at present to terms of 

 most frequent occurrence, and explain such others as I may 

 find occasion to introduce, as they occur. Insects form the 

 fifth class of the Linnean system of animated nature, the first, 

 second, third, fourth, and sixth classes being quadrupeds, 

 birds, amphibious animals, fishes, and worms. Insects are 

 furnished with legs, a distinct head, and with horns or anten- 

 nae, which are supposed to be their organs of smell ; they 

 respire through pores in various parts of their body, but it is 

 not certain that they respire through their mouths ; they are, 

 for the most part, oviparous. The greater number pass 

 through three stages of existence ; the egg or embryo state, the 

 larva or caterpillar state, and the imago or perfect state: 

 some, in their imago state, are only partially changed from their 



