126 GENERATION OF INSECTS 



When I took up my pen I had in mind to write you 

 a suitable letter, but having exceeded by far its limits, 

 I know not how it has happened that I have almost 

 wTitten a book, and in a rather dry style devoid of 

 grace. Hence I can with reason be blamed and cannot 

 offer any defence, but I would not like to be censured for 

 having given my opinion too frankly about certain state- 

 ments of the most famous masters of this and past cen- 

 turies; for every one is free to hold the opinion that he 

 chooses, and I do not think that I have said anything 

 prejudicial to the esteem and reverence which I bear 

 them. On the contrary he, who is no tyrant, should not 

 despise the liberty of procedure that obtains in the Re- 

 public of Philosophy, whose only aim is the search for 

 truth, which, as Seneca said : " Omnibus patet, nondum 

 est occupata; qui ante nos fuerunt, non Domini, sed 

 Duces sunt; multum ex ilia etiam futuris relictum est.'' 

 I endeavor to gather up a small portion of this great 

 remainder, and my only regret is that I am unable with 

 my weak powers to produce results corresponding to 

 the great opportunities granted me by the princely 

 beneficence of my sole Lord, the Serene Grand Duke. 

 But it may come to pass, or at least I hope so, that some 

 day with increased knowledge and renewed strength, I 

 may be capable of presenting to so grand a Patron 

 something not entirely unworthy of his royal great- 

 ness. In the meanwhile, be assured that this letter or 

 book, as you please to call it, has come to you not for 

 praise but for correction, which I heartily beg you to 

 give; being well aware that, 



" My name unto the world is little known." 



