Tim 



ENTOMOLOGIST'S 



^fitful CompenUium, 



INTRODUCTION. 



CjNTOMOLOOY is a study which may be considered as in its infancy. 

 So prone is man to look with contempt on those parts of the creation 

 which arc diminutive, that insects have been almost overlooked in his 

 researches after knowledge. Ilis ignorance, the consequence of this 

 contemptuous neglect, has led him to consider the whole class as of 

 small importance, and to arraign the Creator for forming an useless, 

 and in many cases ofiensive and injurious tribe of beings. Such can be 

 the language only of " haughty ignorance:" the modest observer of 

 Nature, although he may have learned little of the habits, occonomy, 

 and uses of insects, will acknowledge that they have been created witli 

 design, and will not doubt but the design was benevolent. 



The insect race constitute by far the most considerable portion of 

 animated beings; — in this view the science of Entomology becomes one 

 of the most important and interesting that can engage the mind of the 

 natural philosopher. He who neglects the study of insects, or thinks 

 it beneath his notice, cannot deserve respect as a general observer of 

 nature, nor be considered a scientific naturalist. The views of such a 

 man will be partial, and his inquiries circumscribed: he regards only 

 an inconsiderable portion of animated nature ; and he confines his re- 

 m^arks to such as from their size and distinctness of character present 

 tire least obstacle to iirvestigation. In the stud}' of Entomology, the 

 man of science will find abundant scope for the exercise of his zeal. 

 The amazing number of species; their curious forms, so infinitely va- 

 ried, and yet so nearly and gradually approximating through an endless 

 series of transitions from one species to another ; the diversity of struc- 

 ture observable in those parts which afford generic characters, added 

 to the wonderful changes in form which they undergo, with their sur- 

 prising oeconomy, — are circumstances which contribute to render thcni 

 objects olinobt curious speculation to the philosopher. The study of 



