G2 MEMOIR OF DE GEER. 



ant as to demand a separate work for their due de 

 velopment and preservation; and this accordingly 

 he prepared to lay before the public. 



The first volume appeared in 1752, under the title 

 \J of Memoirs pour servir a I* Histoire Naturelle des 

 Insectes: dedicated to the Queen. It is a 4to. volume, 

 written in French, and containing 37 plates. The 

 principal subjects of which it treats are, the history of 

 various kinds of caterpillars, such as leaf-rollers, those 

 found in galls, the kinds producing butterflies and 

 moths, &c. Many of the latter are figured and de- 

 scribed in their perfect state. Those who have pur- 

 chased the work, which cannot now be easily obtained, 

 at least in this country, may have experienced how 

 much more difficult it is to procure the first volume than 

 any of the succeeding ones, without probably being 

 aware of the cause. It is well known, that at the time 

 of which we now speak, as well as for a long period 

 subsequent to it, the study of the lower animals, al- 

 though eagerly prosecuted by a few individuals in dif- 

 ferent countries, was entirely disregarded or even held 

 in contempt by most people, including not a few even 

 of those who arrogated the title of men of science. 

 Owing principally to this circumstance, the appear- 

 ance of De Geer's first volume did not excite so 

 much interest and attention as his own estimation 

 of the subject of it had prepared him to expect ; and 

 allowing, for a moment, the feeling of disappointment 

 to get the better of his prudence, he committed a 

 great part of the impression to the flames. But this- 

 feeling was very transient, and he resumed his labours* 



