i?, in a letter addressed to Peter Collinson, Esq. of London. 

 H^ gave a cc<i account of the rise and progress, both as to habits 

 and appearance, and only wanted the use of the microscope to 

 have accomplished MUCH more. 



In the 10th volume of Silliman's Journal of Science and Arts, 

 we have a contribution by Doctor S. P. Hildreth, of Marietta, 

 dated 1829. It contains many useful facts and reflections, that 

 have been corroborated by our observations and experiments; and 

 if he had called to his aid the power of good glasses, he would 

 have been led to important results. 



In 1834, the date of the most material of our observations, 

 James R. Williams, of this city, instituted an inquiry, and if he 

 had been permitted to devote time enough to the pursuit, would 

 have far surpassed his predecessors, as he availed himself of the 

 use of the microscope, and discovered something of the anatomical 

 character we afterwards demonstrated. 



It would be useless to enumerate all the fugitive papers scatter- 

 ed through the ephemeral publications of the last and present cen- 

 tury, as they contain nothing for which we have not credited those 

 we have mentioned. 



During the ascension of 1817, we entered into the investigation 

 with all the enthusiasm it could inspire, and contemplated it in 

 every aspect we could place it. When the time for observation 

 had nearly expired, we were mortified to find that we were not 

 much nearer a definite conclusion than we were in 1783, when the 

 subject first attracted our attention. We now perceived the cause 

 of our failure, and determined that, should there occur another ascen- 

 sion in our time, to avail ourselves of the power of magnifiers, and 

 prosecute the inquiry under more favourable auspices. 



As our professional avocations would not permit us to devote 

 our whole time to the pursuit, it became necessary to call in the 

 aid of a colleague whose knowledge of entomology, and industry 

 could be relied on. These qualifications were found and well ex- 

 emplified in Mr. Gideon B. Smith. Should our labours reflect any 

 light on so obscure a subject, the credit is equally due to him. 



