INTnODTJCTION,' 19 



sist at particular seasons. The honey of bees, in many warm climates, 

 constitutes another primary article of food. The caterpillars of several 

 moths furnish materials for the silken raiment so universally worn liy 

 all ranks in the eastern parts of the world; and hence in tliese coun- 

 tries the silky produce of these industrious little animals is of as much. 

 use as the fleecy coat of the sheep is to us. As an object of traffic, 

 silk is one of the utmost importance in China and Tartary ; and in 

 those parts paper is manufactm-ed from the refuse of the same mate- 

 rial. The extensive use of wax in all ages is well known. Some in- 

 sects are used with success in medicine ; and many others (the cochi- 

 neal for instance) are rendered useful in the arts : and greater num- 

 bers might perhaps be employed for the same purpose. These few, 

 out of a vast many instances, are sufficient to prove the absurdity of an 

 opinion very prevalent, " that insects are too insignificant to deserve 

 the attention of the philosopher." But allowing these benefits to be 

 unknown, and that tlie study of Entomology is not productive of any 

 substantial advantages, how absurd would it still be to treat such an 

 extensive portion of the creation with neglect! The objection, that they 

 are in nowise conducive to our interests (even if founded in truth), 

 woukl be no evidence of the frivolity of the science; unless we are to 

 conclude, that the only inquiries which merit our rational attention 

 are those which tend to the gratification of selfishness. If this be ad- 

 mitted as an objection, how many objects of iihilosophical investiga- 

 tion must be rejected as frivolous! From the earliest period in which 

 the light of natural knowledge dawned, this class of animals has ob- 

 tained a certain portion of attention : and although the study has not 

 at all times been cultivated with equal ardour, yet it has not been ut- 

 terly neglected, but has engaged the study of men endowed with ta- 

 lents as splendid, and judgement as refined, as the most exalted of those 

 who affect to treat it with contempt. 



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