X PREFACE. 



the study of Entomology are pointed out ; but there is one which, though 

 it could not well have been insisted upon in that place, is too important to 

 be passed over without notice, — its value in the education of youth. 



All modern writers on this momentous subject unite in recommending 

 in this view Natural History ; and if " the quality of accurate discrimi- 

 nation, the ready perception of resemblances amongst diversities, and 

 still more, the quick and accurate perception of diversity in the midst of 

 resemblances, constitutes one of the most important operations of the 

 understanding ; if it be indeed the foundation of clear ideas, and the 

 acquisition of whatever can be truly called knowledge depends most ma- 

 terially on the possession of it ;" if " the best logic be that which teaches 

 us to suspend our judgments ;" and " the art of seeing, so useful, so 

 universal, and yet so uncommon, be one of the most valuable a man can 

 possess," there can be no doubt of the judiciousness of their advice. 

 Now of all the branches of Natural History, Entomology is unquestiona- 

 bly the best fitted for thus disciplining the mind of youth ; and simply 

 from these circumstances, that its objects have life, are gifted with sur- 

 prising instincts admirably calculated to attract youthful attention, and 

 are to be met with every where. It is not meant to undervalue the good 

 effects of the study of Botany or Mineralogy; but it is self-evident that 

 nothing inanimate can excite such interest in the mind of a young per- 

 son as beings endowed with vitality, exercising their powers and faculties 

 in so singular a way ; which, as Reaumur observes, are not only alive 

 themselves, but confer animation upon the leaves, fruits, and flowers that 

 they inhabit, which every walk offers to view, and on which new obser- 

 vations may be made without end. 



Besides these advantages, no study affords a fairer opportunity of lead- 

 ing the young mind by a natural and pleasing path to the great truths of 

 Religion, and of impressing it with the most lively ideas of the power, 

 wisdom, and goodness of the Creator. 



Not that it is recommended to make children collectors of insects ; nor 

 that young people, to the neglect of more important duties and pursuits, 

 should generally become professed Entomologists; but, if the former be 

 familiarized with their names, manners, and economy, and the latter 

 initiated into their classification, it will be an excellent method of strength- 

 ening their habits of observation, attention, and memory, equal perhaps, 

 in this respect, to any other mental exercise ; and then, like Major Gyl- 

 lenhal, who studied Entomology under Thunberg about 1770, and after 

 an interval of twenty years devoted to the service of his country, resumed 

 his favorite pursuit with all the ardor of youth, and is at this time giving 



