vi PREFACE. 
Hitherto the American insects have been col- 
lected and sent to England, France, and Germa- 
ny, by intelligent foreigners resident amongst us. 
These were described by their entomologists, figur- 
ed and published in their various works, and 
through that medium were familiarised to the know- 
ledge of the scientific in those countries. In short, 
they are infinitely better acquainted with them than 
we are. 
Having, for a considerable length of time, attach- 
ed myself particularly to this department of zoolo- 
gy, [saw with regret that no one arose among us 
to investigate and describe such of the individuals 
belonging to it as were unknown. 
I was anxious in vain that some one of my coun- 
trymen, whose talents and scientific acquirements 
were greater than my own, and more adequate to 
the task, would make known to the world this 
Protean people. 
At length, urged exclusively by a love for the 
pursuit, and not, as my friends will unhesitatingly 
admit, by any expectation or desire of mere pecu- 
