INTRODUCTION. 
15 
These few facts may be sufficient to 
prove, that, so far from entomology being 
a frivolous amusement (as some have igno- 
rantly asserted), or suffering in importance 
by comparison with other studies, it stands 
in the foremost rank of Natural Science! 
and furnishes more links, perhaps, than 
any other, to prove the existence of 
“ The mighty chain of beings, lessening down 
From Infinite Perfection to the brink 
Of dreary Nothing, desolate abyss !” 
Organized nature is a complicated 
chain of beings, of which chain, each spe- 
cies forms a link. Every new species 
added to cur list, serves thus to increase 
our knowledge of this stupendous system 
— a system that ought to excite in every 
breast the most intense interest ; not merely 
as one of the works of our Creator, but 
as that particular work of the Divine 
Hand, which has been designed with 
direct reference to ourselves. A minute 
beetle, therefore, which of itself scarcely 
raises a thought in our minds, beyond 
