ENTOMOLOGY. 125 



ception to the number, being twelve ventral and 

 two caudal. 



Fortunately, the researches of our more dis- 

 tinguished entomologists are daily unfolding the 

 habits and characters of these little depredators, 

 and pointing out the means of reducing their 

 numbers ; thus affording the most useful infor- 

 mation to the farmers, as well as gardeners, of 

 our highly favoured country. 



With this view, it is particularly desirable, 

 that the study of entomology should be rendered 

 as easy as possible, in some such way as I have 

 ventured to suggest ; but, however much we may 

 wish for greater plainness and simplicity, if we 

 consider the wonderful variety in the *' appropri- 

 ate and approximating forms'' of the curious 

 little animals with which we have to do, we shall 

 be prepared to expect, that the more obvious cha- 

 racters alone will require an almost endless accu- 

 mulation of terms to describe them. 



Few persons, now alive, can remember a year 

 to be compared with 1826, in respect of the 

 number and variety of insects which were brought 

 to perfection in this kingdom. The more beauti- 

 ful kinds assumed an unusual brilliancy and lus- 

 tre, and many fine specimens were collected 



