AN 



INTRODUCTION 



TO 



E N T O M O L O G Y, 



LETTER XVI. 

 SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



IMPERFECT SOCIETIES. 



I SEE already, and I see it with pleasure, that you will 

 not content yourself with beino- a mere collector of in- 

 sects. To possess a cabinet well stored, and to know by 

 what name each described individual which it contains 

 should be distinguished, will not satisfy the love that is 

 already grown strong in you for my favourite pursuit; 

 and you now anticipate with a laudable eagerness, the 

 discoveries that you may make respecting the history 

 andeconomy of this most interesting department of the 

 works of our Creator. I hail with joy this intention to 

 emulate the bright example, and to tread in the hal- 

 lowed steps of Swammerdam, Leeuwenhoek, Redi, 

 Malpighi, Vallisnieri, Ray, Lister, Reaumur, De Geer, 

 Lyonet, Bonnet, the liubers, &c. ; and I am confident 

 that a man of your abilities, discernment, and obser- 

 vation will contribute, in no small degree, to the trea- 



VOL. II. B 



