INTRODUCTION. 55 



insects known by the familiar name of MOTHS. 

 This numerous assemblage, which the minute in- 

 vestigations of modern observers have caused to be 

 arranged in a multitude of generic groups, was 

 originally comprehended within the ample boun- 

 daries of the single genus Phalama^ as defined by 

 Linn&us and the older naturalists. They present 

 many remarkable variations, both in their general 

 appearance and in the details of their structure. 

 Their manners and economy are likewise so diver- 

 sified and curious, that a minute account of these 

 would afford ample materials for a work of con- 

 siderable extent, exclusive of any description of the 

 insects themselves. In the space here designed to 

 be allotted to the subject, in conformity with the 

 endeavour we have hitherto made to combine two 

 objects, which have been frequently disjoined, to the 

 material hinderance of accurate knowledge in natural 

 history, viz. a general account of the habits of ani- 

 mals, with a correct view of their specific forms and 

 appearance, we shall first mention what is peculiar to 

 these insects in their winged state, and then describe 

 their external structure and habits as caterpillars. 

 An opportunity will thus be afforded of presenting 

 what is most striking in their ways and instincts, 

 which, taken in connexion with what has been said 

 in a previous volume regarding the phenomena of 

 transformation, &c. and what is subsequently sup- 

 plied in notices of the respective genera and species, 

 will form at least what is most material to be known, 

 and all that is likely to interest a general reader, 



