Vll 



It is in consequence of this last remark that I have been careful to omit nothing of the 

 original edition in this edition of the least importance, but have given the description as 

 much as possible in the words of the author himself. 



I have also added a general Systematic Index to the entire work, and an Alphabetic 

 Index, in which the names employed in the first edition are distinguished by an asterisk. 



The collection formed by Drury was exceedingly choice, and had occupied nearly thirty 

 years in its formation ; for although, as Drury himself says (in one of the printed circulars 

 which he distributed with a view to its sale) " there may be in Holland collections more nume- 

 rous, having in many instances a great number of a single species) yet no collection abounds 

 with such a wonderful variety in all the different genera as this. All the specimens of which 

 it is composed, are in the highest and most exquisite state of preservation, such an extensive 

 collection can be supposed to be, and a very considerable number are unique, such as are 

 not to be found in any other Cabinet whatever, and of considerable value ; many of which, 

 coming from countries exceedingly unhealthy, where the collectors, in procuring them, 

 have perished by the severity of the climate, give but little room to expect any duplicate 

 will ever be obtained during the present age; and the learned quotations that have been 

 taken from it by those celebrated authors Linnajus and Fabricius, in all their late editions, 

 are incontestable proofs of the high degrees of estimation they entertained of it." 



This statement was made in I788, when the author had consumed upwards of twenty- 

 five years in its formation, and at which period no less a sum than £4,000. had been 

 expended upon the collection. At this period the collection consisted of — 



Subjects. Different Species 



• Coleoptera 2218 21o6 



Hemiptera 895 778 



Lepidoptera 2462 2148 



Neuroptera 172 171 



Hymenoptera 533 533 



Diptera 552 402 



Aptera 105 96 



English Collection 2641 2070 



9578 8370 



Subsequently great additions were made to the. collection, which, as will be seen from 

 the localities affixed to the species figured in these Illustrations was received from all 

 parts of the world with which England at that period had intercourse. Of the earnest 

 zeal with which this collection was made, an idea may be obtained from a copy of a 

 letter addressed to a gentleman residing in Africa, with whom he was anxious to enter 

 into correspondence. 



Sir, London, Dec. 13M, 1766. 



My being an utter stranger to you compels me to apologize for the liberty I take in sending you 

 this. Mr. Carghill's recommendation is the occasion of my doing so, and he has assured me of your 



