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PREFACE. 



In the early part of tlie winter of 1863-4, having the free use of 

 the Congressional Library at Washington, I began the compila- 

 tion of the present work. It was my prime intent, and one which 

 I have endeavored to follow most carefully, to attach some fact, 

 whatever might be its nature, to as many Insects as possible, to 

 increase the interest, in a commonplace way, of the science of 

 Entomology. I noticed the pleasurable satisfaction I invariably 

 felt when I came accidentally upon any extra-scientific fact, and 

 how the association fixed the particular Insect, to which it related, 

 ineffaceably upon my memory. To collect and group, then, all 

 these facts together, to remember many Insects as easily as one, 



was a natural thought; and as this had never been done, but to 

 a very limited extent, I undertook it myself. 



The facts contained in this volume are supposed to be purely 

 historical, or rather not to belong to the natural history of Insects, 

 namely, their anatomy, habits, classification, etc. They have been 

 collected mostly from Chronicles, Histories, Books of Travels, and 

 such like works, which, at first view, seem to be totally foreign to 

 Insects: and were only discovered by examination of the indexes 

 and tables of contents. 



But are my foicts facts? — it may be asked. They are ; but I do 

 not vouch for each one's containing more than one truth. It is a 

 fact, or truth if you will, that Pliny, Nat. Hist. xi. 34, says, 

 "Folke use to hang Beetles about the neck of young babes, as 

 present remedies against many maladies ;" but that this statement 

 is entitled to credit, and that these Insects, hung about the necks 

 of young babes, are a present remedy against many maladies, are 

 two things which may be very true or far otherwise. I confine 

 myself to the fact that Pliny says so, and only wish to be under- 

 stood in that sense, unless when otherwise stated. 



