Viii PREFACE. 



secting a single insect in each family; on the con* 

 trary, he has omitted no opportunity of examina- 

 tion; and in those subdivisions in which the pro- 

 boscis {h), and its parts seemed most subject to 

 variation, he has inspected that organ in almost 

 ever}^ individual that he has described. But still, 

 notwithstanding all his care, he cannot flatter him- 

 self that he is altogether exempt from error. These 

 minute parts, be their position varied ever so little 

 under the lens, exhibit an appearance different in 

 some respects. He has endeavoured to represent 

 every thing as it appeared to his eye. Quite a 

 novice in the arts of drawing and etching, his per- 

 formance must of course be rude, and perhaps 



K sometimes the relative proportion of parts to each 



other is not represented with entire accuracy; but 

 in this respect he did his best : as to number of 

 parts and general form_, he can vouch for the truth 

 of his figures. 



These necessary preliminaries discussed, and ad- 

 justed, the author proceeds to the description of 

 individuals : and here he thought he could not 

 pursue a better plan, than that excellent one marked 

 out by the Rev. Dr. Goodenough, in his admirable pa- 



(Z') The term. Rostrum, has frequently been employed, by 



Lmneus and others, to signify this partj but such an application 



of it, if entomologists are expected to adhere to the definition of 



the Fundamenta Eiitomologice, is extremely improper. Os in 



acumen productum rigidum, gives to that term a very distinct 



signification^ and altogether at variance with the proloscis of 



a bee. 



per 



