M, INTRODUCTORY LETTER. 



Mankind in general, not excepting even philoso- 

 phers, are prone to magnify, often beyond its just me- 

 rit, the science or pursuit to which they have addicted 

 themselves, and to depreciate any that seems to stand 

 in competition with their favourite : like the redoubted 

 cliampions of romance, each thinks himself bound to 

 take the field against every one that will not subscribe 

 to the peerless beauty and accomplishments of his own 

 Dulcinea. In such conflict for pre-eminence I know 

 no science that, in this country, has come off worse than 

 Entomology: her champions hitherto have been so 

 few, and their efforts so unavailing, that all her rival 

 sisters have been exalted above her; and I believe 

 there is scarcely any branch of Natural History that has 

 had fewer British admirers. While Botany boasts of 

 myriads, she, though not her inferior either in beauty, 

 symmetry, or grace, has received the homage of a very 

 slender train indeed. Since therefore the merits of 

 Entomology have been so little acknowledged, you will 

 not deem it invidious if I advocate the cause of this di- 

 stressed damsel, and endeavour to effect her restoration 

 to her just rights, privileges, and rank. 



Things that are universally obvious and easy of exa- 

 mination, as they are the first that fall under our no- 

 tice, so are they also most commonly those which we 

 first feel an inclination to study; while, on the con- 

 trary, things that must be sought for in order to be 

 seen, and which when sought for avoid the approach 

 and inquiring eye of man, are often the last toAvhichhe 

 directs his attention. The vegetable kina^dom stands 

 in the former predicament. Flora with a liberal hand 

 has scattered around us her charming productions; 



