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such verbal descriptions, affording the student a two-fold pleasure, by comparing them 

 together. 



If the reader has made no progress in the study of natural history, he will probably find 

 it difficult to understand the several names, or terms, the dififerent parts of insects are called 

 by ; and which occur in every description. For this reason I think it incumbent on me 

 to give the most plain and familiar explanation of them I possibly can. This I have 

 done two ways ; by methodical definitions, and figures ; and in both of them shall make 

 no scruple to follow the method laid down by that great master of natural history, the 

 judicious Linnaeus, whose excellent plan, for the knowledge and classing of insects, demands 

 the utmost thanks and regard from every lover of this branch of science. From his 

 plan I have taken the hint of giving some figures of different genera, with the proper 

 names of the respective parts in a plate by themselves. By these the reader will not only 

 be greatly assisted in understanding the descriptions ; but it will enable him to class them 

 with more facility, if he is inclined to do so. I therefore go on to explain, first the terms 

 used throughout the whole ; and afterwards the distinct and different parts of insects. In 

 doing this, I divide them into 



Order, Class, Genus, and Species. 



Order, is a general term, applicable to a whole race of animals, whereby they are distinguished from 

 each other, as beasts, birds, fishes, &c.* 



Class, a tenn by which insects, as well as other animals, are divided into their respective genera or 

 tribes, as the farinaceous, crustaceous, transparent, k.c.\ 



Genus, a term dividing each class, as butterfly, moth, hawk-moth, constitute the farinaceous (Lepidoptera) ; 

 dung-beetle, lady-bird, goat-chaffer, and many others, make up the crustaceous (Coleoptera) ; cock- 

 roach, locust, bug, and some others, fonn the semi-crustaceous (Hemiptera,Linn.), k.c.% 



Species, a tenn comprehending a distinct or individual sort in each genus, as the pearl-bordered, 

 admirable, skipper, &c. among the butterflies ; egger, drinker, peppered, &c. among moths, &c. 



To these I must add the word 



Variety, a term by which two insects of the same species are known, though differing a little (not 

 characteristically) in colour, size, &c. § 



" The primary division of tlie Aunulose subkingdom, now adopted, is into classes, Crustacea, Araelinida, Insecta. 



t Tlie primary division of the class Insecta, now adopted, is into orders, Lepidoptera (called farinaceous by Dniry), Coleoptera 

 (called crustaceous by Drury), &c. 



X In consequence of the great increase of the science it has been found necessary to divide the Orders of Insects into Sections, 

 Families, Subfamilies, &c. before arriving at Genera, which are now much more limited than in the time of Linnaeus. 



^ There is no branch of natural history where the existence of a Ltisus Natural is so plam and observable as in this, particularly 

 among the insects brought from wai'm climates; where the wantonness and luxuriance of nature is so great; that its laws, strict 

 and regular as they ai'c, through the rest of the animal creation, almost seem to be invaded and broke in upon. Instances, also, 

 are frequent in this study, of a cluster of eggs being discharged by a female, the insects springing from which, have differed in the 

 circumstances above-mentioned so very greatly, as in some cases to be mistaken for different species. 



