C l "^K 



UN' 



INSECTS. 



INTRODUCTION. 



As the object of this work is, not to teach Entomology, 

 but to lead the reader in the first steps towards that 

 science, by increasing the interest with which he may 

 be disposed to regard the tribe of insects, it may not 

 be altogether out of place to devote a few pages to 

 their connexion with the history and superstitions of 

 past ages. 



They are a small people, but they have no small work 

 to accomplish in the world. They are a small people, 

 but they hold no inconsiderable place in the history of 

 mankind. In our own day there are whole tracts of 

 country where their dominion cannot be overthrown by 

 man, and from whence he is driven by them. There was 

 a time when a mighty king was shaken in his purpose 

 " by reason of the swarm of flies," and there was a time 

 when nations bowed down before the Lord of Flies. 



The worship of the Fly, or rather of the Fly-destroyer 

 personified, is said to have commenced in Egypt. From 

 Egypt the Caphtorim carried it into Palestine, and 

 there we find their descendants, the Philistines of Ekron, 

 worshipping the Fly-god under the name of Baal-zebub.* 



2 Kings, i. 2. 

 B 



