IXTRODUCTIOX. 7 



more recent times, if we look abroad, what names greater 

 than those of Eecli, Malpighi, Yallisnieri, Swammerdam. 

 Leenwenhoek, Reainniir, Linnaeus, De Geer, Bonnet, and 

 the Hubers ? and at home, what philosophers have done 

 more honour to their country and to human nature than 

 Ray, Willughby, Lister, and Derham ? Yet all these made 

 the study of insects one of their most favourite pursuits." *• 

 And yet this study has been considered, by those who 

 have superficially examined the subject, as belonging to 

 a small order of minds ; and the satire of Pope has been 

 indiscriminately applied to all collectors, while, in truth, it 

 only touches those who mistake the means of knowledge 

 for the end : — 



" ! would the sons of men once think their eves 

 And reason given them but to study Flies ! 

 See Natiu-e, in some partial, narrow shape, 

 And let the Autlior of the whole escape ; 

 Learn but to trifle ; or, who most observe, 

 To wonder at their Maker, not to serve."t 



Thus exclaims the Goddess of Dulness, sweeping into 

 her net all those who study nature in detail. But if the 

 matter were rightly appreciated, it would be evident that 

 no part of the works of the Creator can be without the 

 deepest interest to an inquiring mind ; and that a portion 

 of creation which exhibits such extraordinary manifestations 

 of design as is shown by insects must have attractions for 

 the very highest understanding. 



An accurate knowledge of the properties of insects is 

 of great importance to man, merely with relation to his 

 own comfort and security. The injuries which they inflict 

 upon us are extensive and complicated ; and the remedies 

 which we attempt, by the destruction of those creatures, 

 both insects, birds, and quadrupeds, who keep the ravages 

 in check, are generally aggravations of the evil, because 

 they are directed b}^ an ignorance of the economy of natuie. 

 The little knowledge which we have of the modes by which 

 insects may be impeded in their destruction of much that 



* Introduction to Entomology, vol. i. 

 t Dunciad, book iv. 



