XVlll 



class them according to his own fancy ; and, as every one has thus an opportunity of 

 following his favourite author, none, I hope, will object to a method, that will put it in his 

 power of indulging his own inclination. 



I must here inform my readers, that this work can by no means be considered as a 

 complete one. The most transitory view will confirm this. Nor can I take any merit to 

 myself by its publication, unless the great care that has been taken to give just and accurate 

 figures of the subjects, in which the different generical characters, according to the several 

 authors I am acquainted with, are truly represented, will entitle me to any. 



Indeed, the many opportunities I have had of observing the great tendency all kinds of 

 insects have to perish and decay, particularly moths and butterflies, first gave me the hint 

 of preserving them from oblivion, by thus delineating them on paper. For these last are 

 of such tender and delicate natures, that however pleasing and agTeeable they may be to 

 our sight, they are not easily to be preserved with all their gay and striking plumage. Our 

 utmost care can only secure them to us a few years ; and if they are exposed to air or sun- 

 shine, we are quickly robbed of them ; the latter being capable, in a few months, of entirely 

 destroying their colours, and the first in as short a space, will totally consume every part 

 of them, leaving nothing behind but a little dust. 



Hence it is, I have been induced to give figures of foreign insects. In prosecuting 

 which, the reader will find many that have never been described by any author ; and if 

 the rescuing them by this method from the ravages of time, if the delight and amusement 

 ai'ising from contemplating subjects of this kind, or if an attempt to promote and encou- 

 rage this branch of natural history meets with the encouragement I hope for, I must assure 

 the public, no labour on my side shall be wanting to render it complete, by adding future 

 volumes, as the subjects I shoidd receive from abroad, and my own leisure, will enable me 

 to do ; and this, I flatter myself, I shall be able to accomplish by the means of a few 

 ingenious gentlemen situated in different parts of the world, whose correspondence I am 

 honoured with, and by whose assistance I shall be able to give sometimes a tolerable history 

 of an insect, or as much of it as has fallen within their observation ; by which means, 

 new subjects of speculation, some unnoticed circumstances in insect life, may arise, that can- 

 not fail of being an acceptable embellishment. But I must observe, such pieces of informa- 

 tion cannot be expected to be numerous ; for the difficulty of procuring the natural history 

 of foreign insects is so exceedingly great, that it is better conceived than described. Few 

 persons, who visit foreign countries, have curiosity sufficient to prompt them to make such 

 observations, or indeed any enquiry, into the works of nature. The desire of acquiring 

 wealth, by the means of trade, is the grand motive that induces them to leave their native 

 country ; observations in natural history being generally quite foreign to their thoughts ; 

 the desire of extending their commerce, and making their fortunes, taking entire possession 

 of their minds, and swallowing up every other consideration. Thus, we see, it is not from 

 such persons we must expect any improvements tending to promote this study ; it is 



