XIV PREFACE. 



nent, and accompanied by a tliorongli examination of 

 all the works published on this subject in the yarious 

 European languages. 



To accomplish this, I am aware, will be attended 

 with no little difficulty ; for, as in the Mammalia and 

 Birds, so also among Insects, we have diurnal and noc- 

 turnal ones. Thus the Diamond Beetle shows its gold, 

 ruby, emerald, and hyacinth colors in the clear and 

 bright sunlight, and the same is the case with many 

 Butterflies, who are on that account called diurnal; 

 while the Hawk Moths, with a suspicious modesty, is- 

 sue from their dwellings, adorned with bridal dresses, 

 only at twilight ; and only toward midnight are seen 

 the gigantic Cecropia, and many others, in their vari- 

 egated cloaks, or the unicolored, unpretending Luna ; 

 and these Insects are hence called nocturnal. In or- 

 der to perfect the task, I have rambled many sunny 

 days and many tropical nights, guided by the dim and 

 twinkling lamps of heaven, through open fields, dark 

 woods, and damp meadows, stimulated by the satisfac- 

 tory assurance that these labors can not fail of being 

 useful to all students of Nature, and encouraged by 

 the hope that thus a way may be opened to a more 

 general knowledge of Natural History, and a deeper 

 admiration of the ten thousand sublime and beautiful 

 creatures that, in one common song of praise, pour out 

 their gratitude and proclaim their dependence upon 

 one common Father. 



