INTRODUCTIOX. 5 



could not meet with a single insect, not even a gnat or a 

 fly, slieltered under the leaves. Upon looking more nar- 

 rowly, however, into the bushes which protected us, we 

 soon found a variety of interesting objects of study. The 

 oak abounded in galls, several of them quite new to us ; 

 while the leaves of the birch and the aspen exhibited the 

 curious serpentine paths of the minute mining caterpillars. 

 When we had exhausted the narrow field of observation 

 immediately around us, we found that we could considerably 

 extend it, by breaking a few of the taller branches near us, 

 and then examining their leaves at leisure. In this manner 

 two hours glided quickly and pleasantly away, by which 

 time the rain had nearly ceased ; and though we had been 

 disappointed in our wish to ramble through the wood, we 

 did not return without adding a few interesting facts to our 

 previous knowledge of insect economy.* 



It will appear, then, from the preceding observations, 

 that cabinets and collections, though undoubtedly of the 

 highest use, are by no means indispensable, as the obsei-A^er 

 of nature ma}^ find inexhaustible subjects of study in every 

 garden and in every hedge. Nature has been profuse 

 enough in affording us materials for observation, when we 

 are prepared to look about us with that keenness of inquiry, 

 which curiosity, the first step in the pursuit of knowledge, 

 w^ill unquestionably give. Nor shall we be disappointed 

 in the gratification which is thus within our reach. Were 

 it no more, indeed, than a source of agreeable amusement, 

 the study of insects comes strongly recommended to the 

 notice of the well-educated. The pleasures of childhood 

 are generally supposed to be more exquisite, and to contain 

 less alloy, than those of riper jesus ; and if so, it must be 

 because then everything appears new and dressed in fresh 

 beauties : while in manhood, and old age, Avhatever has 

 frequently recurred begins to wear the tarnish of decay. 

 The study of nature affords us a succession of " ever 

 new delights," such as charmed us in childhood, when 

 everything had the attractions of novelty and beauty ; and 



* The original observations in this vohime which are marked liy tlie 

 initials J, R., are by J. Rennie, A.M., A.L.S. 



