X1V PREFACE. 
nent, and accompanied by a thorough examination of 
all the works published on this subject in the various 
Kuropean 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. 
